Scriptural Holiness: Wesleyan Fusion of Evangelism and Justice

Scriptural holiness is a distinctively Wesleyan doctrine that fuses wholehearted devotion to God with concrete ethical living. It is a single, integrated way of life: inward affections and transformation united with outward actions and justice. Holiness is therefore both a vertical relationship with God and a horizontal commitment to neighbor, expressed in personal piety and in tangible acts of mercy and justice ([40:42]).

This holiness is rooted in Scripture and in the incarnational reality of Christ as the Word made flesh. Believers are called to love God with all their heart and to love their neighbor as themselves; that calling necessarily includes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and welcoming strangers ([40:42]). Leviticus 19:2—“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy”—serves as a theological foundation: holiness is commanded because God is holy, and the church’s identity and mission flow from that divine standard ([41:52]).

Holiness begins as inward formation. It is a process of sanctification in which the heart is progressively transformed by Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and communal practices. This is not a quick fix but a lifelong journey: spiritual growth is a marathon rather than a sprint, requiring patience, perseverance, and regular disciplines ([45:00], [46:33]). Christian community is essential to this formation; small groups, accountability relationships, and mutual encouragement help believers grow in holiness and translate inward change into outward behavior ([49:23]).

Holiness also drives outward multiplication. The life of holiness is meant to be shared and reproduced through intentional disciple-making. The mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe” anchors evangelism to sanctification, so that conversion and growth in holiness go hand in hand ([33:23]). The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) and the empowering call in Acts 1:8 together define discipleship as both entering into relationship with Jesus and teaching obedience to his commands—teaching people to live holy lives that reflect God’s character ([27:11], [34:35], [38:08]).

The Wesleyan fusion of evangelism and sanctification means that bringing people to Christ and helping them grow in holiness are inseparable goals. Personal stories of conversion and subsequent transformation illustrate how encountering Jesus produces both inner change and a compelling desire to invite others into that life ([29:22]–[32:34]). The mission of the church, therefore, is to cultivate communities that not only proclaim the gospel but also nurture ongoing growth in scriptural holiness so disciples are equipped to live and teach that holiness in the world ([58:05]).

Communion functions as both symbol and strengthening for scriptural holiness. The bread and cup signify Christ’s broken body and shed blood and serve as means of grace that empower believers to embody the body of Christ in practical service and witness. The Lord’s Supper reinforces the call to live holy lives and to participate in the mission of multiplying disciples who live out that holiness ([01:01:35]).

Scriptural holiness, understood as the fusion of heart devotion and ethical living, forms the core identity and mission of the church: people transformed by God’s grace, gathered in community, sustained by spiritual disciplines and sacraments, and sent into the world to make and mature disciples who reflect God’s holiness.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Asbury Church, one of 284 churches in Raleigh, NC