Lecture on Wesley's Understanding of Repentance

Introduction

• Previous lecture covered Wesley's understanding of Salvation.
• Focus on different states: Repentance, Faith, and Holiness.
• Current focus: Repentance.

Wesley's Concept of Repentance

• God's Action: Repentance is initiated by God's grace, called "convincing grace."
  • Grace manifests differently during various stages of a believer's journey.
  • Convincing grace leads to repentance.

Convincing Grace

• Biblical Basis: Charles Wesley's hymn and John 16:8-9 illustrate God's role in revealing sins.
  • Convincing grace involves the Holy Spirit convicting individuals of sin.
• Initial Awakening: Conviction leads to awareness of sin, transitioning from sleep to awakening.

Historical Context

• Charles Wesley’s Preaching: Example of preaching at Brickfield in Bristol.
  • Charles aimed to convince hearers of their sinful state.
  • Preaching seen as a primary method of dispensing convincing grace.

Methodism and Preaching

• Lay Preaching: Early Methodism encouraged lay preaching as a means to spread convincing grace.
• Criteria for Preachers: Preachers must be able to convince others of sin and lead them to God.

Repentance in Wesley’s Theology

• Role of Repentance: Repentance follows convincing grace and is a response to God's action.
• General Rules: Wesley’s "General Rules" describe repentance as a desire to flee from sin.
  • Based on biblical references (e.g., Luke 3:7).

Fruits Meet for Repentance

• Repentance should be evident through actions (fruits).
  • Ceasing from Evil: Stop harmful actions.
  • Doing Good: Engage in positive actions.
  • Using Ordinances: Participate in spiritual practices.

Two Types of Repentance

1. Legal Repentance
   • Pertains to the newly awakened sinner.
   • Focus on actual, conscious sins.
2. Evangelical Repentance
   • For the justified and regenerated.
   • Deeper repentance involving sinful nature.

Fruits in Evangelical Repentance

• Continues the practice of doing no harm, doing good, and attending to ordinances.

Ongoing Nature of Repentance

• Repentance is an ongoing process leading to sanctification.
• Convincing grace continues throughout the believer’s life.
• Holy Spirit continually convicts believers of righteousness and judgment.

Conclusion

• Next topic: Justification.
• Encouragement to work on related essay questions.