Affirms
Salvation through grace and faith in Christ; Christ-centered.
The Moravian Church teaches that salvation comes through grace received by faith in Christ's redemptive work. Count Zinzendorf, the key figure in Moravian renewal, emphasized a heartfelt, experiential faith in Christ. Salvation is understood as reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice, not earned by works but freely given by God's mercy. The Moravian tradition emphasizes intimate personal relationship with Christ the Savior alongside doctrinal truth.
Key Distinctions
- Justification means:
- grace through faith; Christ-centered; no strong Calvinist/Arminian polemic
- Election type:
- Arminian-leaning; prevenient grace; Christ's atonement for all
- Baptismal regeneration:
- baptism as means of grace; not automatically regenerating
- Eternal security:
- can fall away — ongoing relationship with Christ emphasized
Scripture References
Sources
- Moravian Church, Ground of the Unity
- Count Zinzendorf, Evangelical Sermons