|
Entire Sanctification Doctrinal Statement The Bible teaches that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity having the carnal nature eradicated, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as "Christian perfection," "perfect love," "heart purity," "the baptism with the Holy Spirit," "the fullness of the blessing," "Second-blessing Holiness," "the Inheritance with the Saints in Light," and "Christian Holiness." We bellieve that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace. The grace of entire sanctification includes the impulse to grow in grace. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor one's witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; John 7:37-39; 14:15-23; 17:6-20; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; Romans 6:11-13, 19, 22; 8:1-4, 8-14; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:17-18, 25-27; Philippians 3:10-15; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1-2; 13:12; 1 John 1:7, 9) ("Christian perfection," "perfect love": Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 5:43-48; 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 3:10-15; Hebrews 6:1; I John 4:17-18 "Heart purity": Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-9; Romans 6:22; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3 "Baptism with the Holy Spirit": Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9 "Fullness of the blessing": Romans 15:29 "Christian Holiness": Matthew 5:1-7; John 15:1-11; Romans 12:1-15; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-5:20; Philippians 1:9-11; 3:12-15; Colossians 2:20-3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7-8; 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Hebrews 10:19-25; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 20-21 "Inheritance with the Saints in Light": Deuteronomy 4:20 ; Acts 20:32 ; Acts 26:18 ; Ephesians 1:13-14 & 18-23 ; Colossians 1:12 & 3:24-25 ; Hebrews 9:15 ; 1 Peter 1:4)
|
God's Promise 2U! THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT A BORN-AGAIN BELIEVER IN CHRIST JESUS CAN BE AND SHOULD BE ENTIRELY SANCTIFIED IN THIS LIFE. THIS OCCURS AFTER REGENERATION AND IS PART OF GOD'S PLAN TO RESTORE THE IMAGE OF GOD IN YOU. The history of the various holiness groups which have patterned their doctrine after the Wesleyan Emphasis is a very interesting and thrilling one, indeed. While holiness has always been God's standard and requirement, both in the Old and New Testaments, the Holiness Movement, in the fullest sense began on the Day of Pentecost. We have learned by the study of Church History, that since that time the doctrine and experience of Pentecostal Holiness (not Tongues) has continued to exist in a greater or lesser degree up to this present time. It was John Wesley, however, who, after the passing of the Dark Ages and the Lutheran Reformation, rediscovered, restated and revitalized the doctrine of Entire Sanctification by faith in Christ as a second definite work of grace in the heart of the believer. Hence Wesley may be said to have been the founder of the present-day Holiness Movement. Some quotations from the pen of John Wesley may be of value in showing his teaching. He was converted in 1738 in a Moravian meeting at Aldersgate Street while listening to someone read Luther's description of the change wrought in man's heart by faith in Christ for salvation. Here is his own testimony of what happened on May 24, 1738: "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. 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. I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart." (From Wesley and His Century by Fitchett, p. 123). In contrast to the view held by Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians, namely, that we are both saved and sanctified all in one experience, Wesley sought and obtained at a later date the experience of Heart Purity or Entire Sanctification by complete consecration and faith in Christ's atoning blood. He then became a strong exponent of this fundamental Bible doctrine. Quoting from M. E. Redford's book, "The Rise of the Church of the Nazarene," regarding Wesley's experience and teaching of Entire Sanctification: "This happened about seven months after his conversion at a memorable love feast in London when George Whitefield and he, with other prominent Methodist ministers, were having a union meeting of the Methodist societies. Wesley's Journal, Monday, January 1, 1739, gives the following account of what happened: "'About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we recovered a little from the awe and amazement at the presence of His majesty, we broke out with one voice, "We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be Lord."' "His description of this experience clearly indicates that he, and others, received the Holy Spirit in a powerful manner. Afterwards his preaching was more dynamic and fruitful. Thousands were converted and sanctified, and Methodist societies rapidly multiplied. In explaining the difference between his views and those of others on justification and sanctification he said, 'They speak of justification, either as the same thing with sanctification, or as something consequent upon it. I believe justification to be wholly distinct from sanctification and necessarily antecedent to it.' Thus he believed that justification preceded sanctification and that the latter was a second experience in the believer by which he was cleansed from all sin. "Believing that sin remains in believers after conversion and that this necessitates their being sanctified, Wesley urged his ministers thus: 'As soon as any penitents find peace, exhort them to go on to perfection. Preach full salvation now receivable by faith . . . Do not neglect strongly and explicitly to urge believers to go on to perfection.' On one occasion he gave this charge: 'Preach full sanctification, preach it definitely, preach it explicitly, preach it strongly, preach it wherever you have an opportunity. Insist upon it everywhere. All our preachers should preach it, should make a point of preaching it constantly, strongly, explicitly. Explicitly assert and prove that it may be received now by simple faith. If others grow weary and say little about it, do you supply their lack of service. Speak and spare not. Let no regard for any man induce you to betray the truth of God.'" This, my brethren, is scriptural holiness as taught by Wesley. It is to the preaching of this fundamental Bible doctrine of Full Salvation, received in two distinct crisis experiences, that we are committed as a part of the Holiness Movement. Let us heed Wesley's admonition not to grow weary of preaching, testifying and living this glorious experience.
God's Holiness Church, Frausto, conservative holiness, IHC, salvation, entire sanctification, New Life, Nazarene, Wesleyan, Arminian, Calvinist, Bus ministry, modesty, children, youth, Carmel, Indiana, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Indianapolis, ICHA, Pilgrim Holiness, worship, music, Bible, camp meeting, circuit rider, Methodist, church planting, 10 Commandments, Bible colleges, grace, faith, prayer, fasting, evangelism, discipleship, soul winning, men, women, children, teens, boys, girls, outreach, missions, passion, intimacy, vibrant, Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, church, Church of God (Holiness), Purpose driven, plain, simple, substitute teacher, preacher, Sunday School, Baptist, cookies, joy, peace, love, perfect love, John Wesley, Francis Asbury, tithing, communion, fun, prairie, midwest, youth, youth camp, mountains, valleys, flowers, water, help, renewal, vision, leadership, service, committment, obedience, snow, sunshine, dark, bright, care, consistancy, warmth, money, cars, pews, books, puppets, gasoline, map, schedule, cobblestone, Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College, Northwest Nazarene College, God's Bible School, Union Bible College, Penn View Bible Institute, Hobe Sound Bible College, men, women, boys, girls, study, fire, water, singers, worship, fellowship, food, fasting, Christian Education, expository, eradication, deacon, Interchurch Holiness Convention, International Conservative Holiness Association, books, kingdom of God, power, anointing, immersion, Greek, Hebrew, tracts, second blessing, heart purity, love divine, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Helper, Comforter, Paraclete, Creator, Sustainer, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Resurrection, Inspired, Inerrant, Infallible, KJV, incense, sacrifice, Ark of the Covenant, safe, help, mercy, money, testify, submit, rebellion, wickedness, sinful, heaven, hell, backslide, repent
|
