This week in Christian history: John Wesley's ‘Aldersgate Experience,’ Ignatius of Loyola wounded, Baptist group founded
John Wesley's ‘Aldersgate Experience’ – May 24, 1738
This week marks the anniversary of when John Wesley, the Anglican priest who founded the Methodist movement, had a born-again religious experience at Aldersgate Street in London, England.
Wesley had just returned from colonial Georgia, having experienced major setbacks in his ministry efforts and a tumultuous failed courtship of the daughter of a public official.
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That night, Wesley attended a religious meeting at Aldersgate Street, where he heard a reading of Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther's Preface to the Book of Romans.
"About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed," Wesley recorded in his journal.
"I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."
The experience greatly influenced Wesley, leading to a deep spiritual awakening for him, and helped him to carry on his influential global ministry efforts.
