When was John Wesley born and what happened to him as a child?
John Wesley was born on the 9th of February 1703. He survived a fire at his family's rectory in Epworth when he was five years old after being lifted through a window by a parishioner.
Questions about John Wesley
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What event caused John Wesley to feel his heart strangely warmed?
John Wesley felt his heart strangely warmed during a meeting on Aldersgate Street in London in May 1738 while reading Martin Luther's preface to Romans. This experience led him to trust Christ alone for salvation and receive assurance that God had taken away his sins.
How did John Wesley begin preaching outdoors and where did it happen?
John Wesley preached outdoors at a brickyard near St Philip's Marsh in Bristol on the 2nd of April 1739. George Whitefield encouraged him to reach miners and laborers who would never enter a building, so Wesley used his father's tombstone as a pulpit when needed.
Why did John Wesley separate from George Whitefield despite their friendship?
John Wesley separated from George Whitefield over theological differences regarding Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election and reprobation. Wesley published a sermon titled Freedom of Grace attacking Calvinistic predestination in 1739 even though Whitefield asked him not to publish it.
When did John Wesley allow women to preach within Methodism?
John Wesley allowed Sarah Crosby to preach in 1761 and formally permitted women to preach within Methodism after Mary Bosanquet defended female leadership in summer 1771. He issued detailed instructions on acceptable preaching styles for women between 1761 and 1771.
What were the final statistics of John Wesley's life and death?
John Wesley died on the 2nd of March 1791 leaving behind 135,000 members and 541 itinerant preachers under the name Methodist. He rode 250,000 miles on horseback during his lifetime and preached more than 40,000 sermons before passing away at eighty-seven years old.