The Way of Salvation

The Way of Salvation 

As I continue to study the life and ministry of John Fletcher, Methodist theologian, apologist for John Wesley’s theology, and humble pastor I have been impressed with his exploration and amplification on Wesley’s Way of Salvation. I struggle with the term, “dispensation” in modern English and in the misappropriation of the term in dispensationalist theology. So I am looking for another word, synonym, to communicate this truth. 

Further, i am thinking about a series of sermons and/or lectures on these four dispensations. You thoughts will be helpful. 

Fletcher’s thoughts as I understand them:  

The Way of salvation is revealed in the salvation history of scripture, the work of salvation as experienced in the believer’s life.

Fletcher expanded Wesley’s via salutis (way of salvation) with a concept of four stages (or dispensations - or gifts) of faith which believers pass through in the course of their lives. These personal and progressive stages of faith are abstracted from the public history of salvation as typified 

in the age of Noah (Gentilism), where there is a general awareness of God; 

the dispensation of Moses (Judaism), where there is a awareness of the personal character of God in special revelation; 

the dispensation of John the Baptist (and the disciples of Jesus during his earthly life), where there is God’s self-revelation and the offer of redeeming grace and forgiveness of sins; 

and the dispensation of the risen Lord (culminating on the day of Pentecost which marked the birthday of the church) where believers are enabled to love God with a pure heart through the agency (baptism, infilling, or sealing) of the Holy Spirit. Wesley applauded Fletcher’s concept of dispensation: “Mr. Fletcher has given us a wonderful view of the different dispensations which we are under. I believe that difficult subject was never placed in so clear a light before. It seems God has raised him up for this very thing” ([6:136-137] “Letter to Elizabeth Ritchie,” January 17, 1775).

Further, these four “dispensations” reveal the way most Christians experience salvation. I am looking for personal testimonies reflecting this.