Discipleship and the people called Methodists - BEH District

Open entry?
The condition for admission into Methodist societies is also worth noting.
Unusually there was only one: a person must “desire to flee from the wrath to
come, and be saved from their sins.” Old-fashioned language to be sure, but the
message is clear; you join a Methodist society because you desire to become
the best Christian disciple you can. Because Methodist societies didn’t regard
themselves as ‘churches’ in the classic sense – though some think they were
the main ‘fresh expression of church’ in eighteenth century Britain – there’s no
mention of the need for a ritual sacrament such as Baptism at this point. Nor is
there any theological test to undergo or a formal doctrinal statement to avow, as in
some Christian groupings then and now. Though they will have begun a journey of
faith there’s not even an assumption that a person seeking admission is already
‘converted’.
This broad, aspirational criterion for admission to a Methodist society is
regarded by many as a jewel, highly attractive and deeply meaningful. It signals
an understanding of the gospel and the revealed nature of God which is very dear
to many Methodists. That God is essentially gracious. The gospel is for each and
everyone and therefore for all. Because Jesus Christ died for all, and before we
knew it or could respond to God in any way. Methodists not only believe that God
saves all those whom God wills but also that God wills all to be saved. So everyone
can receive Christ and can come to know they are His. Everyone is invited. Offer
always precedes demand in the things of God. But ‘demand’ there was, as we
shall shortly see. It is this broad invitational evangelical doctrine that shapes
Methodism as a disciple-making movement.