The Almost Christian (Acts 26:28, Part 1)

Review of John Wesley's 'The Almost Christian'
Preached at St. Mary’s Oxford, before the University, on July 25, 1741.

Sermon 2 by John Wesley launches into his discussion of what defines a Christian from the base of Acts 26:28 : 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian'

The primary metaphor that Wesley uses to unite the discussion is a description of one whom he defines as the ‘almost Christian’. This is a wonderful vehicle for the discussion; as he compares her/him to the ‘altogether Christian,’ it demands that the hearer/reader pay more attention than if Wesley had merely launched into a discourse of faith versus works. Most readers/listeners, I would imagine, at some point during the description of the ‘almost Christian’ would have cause to ask, as Wesley articulates “Is it possible that any man living should go so far as this, and, nevertheless, be only almost a Christian? What more than this, can be implied in the being a Christian altogether? ” (Outler & Heitzenrater 1991, 65).

Wesley divided this sermon into two major sections, each of which attempts to answer questions he raises from Acts 26:28:

A. What is implied by being almost a Christian?

B. What is implied by being altogether a Christian?

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