Wesleyan Church Errors

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=185 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="03fb9c00dduajq.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="70" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="66"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="76" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="66" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Issues"><U><B>Church Issues</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Christian Debatorial Works</B></FONT>    |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christian Debatorial Works"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <B>Wesleyan Church Errors</B></div> <div> Wesleyan Church Errors</div> <div> The Wesleyan Church is comprised of evangelical Christians, solid in major doctrines, and with a view to missions and social service. Core values are similar to those of the Methodist faith, with strong stands taken on the inspiration of the Scriptures, the Holy Trinity, Jesus as Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as our guide.</div> <bR> <div> With regards to social issues, the Wesleyan Churches' historic stance against slavery is of honorable note, and its contemporary outlook on homosexuality as sin is commendable.</div> <bR> <div> In regard to doctrinal errors of the Wesleyan Church, I begin with the name 'Wesleyan'. Normally, the name of a denomination or assembly is not important, as these names are used to identify bel;ievers to other men, and God recognizes His children by the name written on their heart. However, as likewise in the case of Lutheran, using a founders name to entitle ones' church or religious organization is forbidden Biblically. </div> <bR> <div> 1 Cor 1:11-15</div> <div> 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.</div> <div> NIV</div> <bR> <div> Thus, the name Wesleyan implies followers of (John) Wesley, and is exactly what Paul is warning against in this pasage.</div> <bR> <div> Ordination of women has long been a practice of the Wesleyan Church, which clearly violates Biblical principles for leadership roles in the church. For an in-depth report on this issue, see <A HREF="id208.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Women in Ministry"><U>Women in Ministry</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Total abstinance from alcohol is another mandate of many congregations which is unfounded Scripturally. For a review of this issue, see <A HREF="id246.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alcohol and Christianity"><U>Alcohol and Christianity</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Many Wesleyan congregations practice a monthy observance of the Lords' Supper, instead of weekly. But a weekly observance is the Scriptural mandate:</div> <div> (a) Early Christians communed each week, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:1,2</div> <div> (b) See type in Old Testament in weekly eating of showbread: 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6; Lev 24:5-9; Heb 10:1</div> <bR> <div> Baptism of infants is a practice of many congregations. For a detailed refute of this practice, see <A HREF="id235.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Infant Baptism"><U>Infant Baptism</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Wesleyan doctrine holds to the theory of Entire Sanctification. From this doctrine comes the belief that some congregationists have become 'perfect' and are no longer under sins' sway. For a detailed report on this doctrine, see <A HREF="id254.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Entire Sanctification"><U>Entire Sanctification</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Elder and deacon roles in the Wesleyan Church have historically only been held by ordained ministers. This imposed criteria cannot be supported Biblically, as there were no forms of 'ordination' nor any ordained ministers in the early church, unless one considers the laying on of hands to be a form of ordination. This seems to be an overly legalistic elder / deacon requirement, and one which can only further the gap between clergy and laity. See Acts 8:4 as an examle that many preached in the early church, not just a select few.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>