BLJ: Part 2 of this important topic teaches on the witness of the Spirit and entire sanctification. These are two very important topics. One should never presume he or she was saved or sanctified without the witness of the Holy Spirit.
32. What is regeneration?
Regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God, whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience. (Manual, page 28 [9, sec. 2]). "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Col. 3:9) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:5, 6). "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
33. What is adoption?
Adoption is that gracious act of God by which 'the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God (Manual, page 28 [9, sec. 3]). "That ye might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father" (Gal. 4:5, 6). "Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father" (Rom. 8:15).
34. What is the witness of the Spirit?
The witness of the Spirit is the testimony of the Holy Spirit to the spirit of believers of their sonship and acceptance with God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Rom. 8:16).
35. What is the relation of these experiences to each other?
Justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness (Manual, page 29 [9, sec. 4]).
36. What is entire sanctification?
Entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect. (Manual, page 29 [10]). "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (I Thess. 5:23). "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Rom. 6:22).
37. How is entire sanctification received?
It 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 (Manual, page 29). "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate" (Heb. 13:12). "... inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me [Christ]" (Acts 26:18). "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).
38. What is the relation of entire sanctification to the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
Entire sanctification 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 {or life and service. (Manual, page 29). "And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:8, 9). "The offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 15:16).
39. By what other terms is the experience of entire sanctification known?
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 Ghost," "The Fullness of the Blessing," and "Christian Holiness" (Manual, page 29).
40. What is the scriptural evidence of this experience?
The evidence of the experience of entire sanctification, or the baptism with the Holy Spirit, is purity of heart and the free manifestation in daily life of the graces or fruit of the Spirit. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23).
41. May a Christian fall from grace?
We believe that man, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize, and unless he repent of his sin, be hopelessly and eternally lost (Manual, page 28). "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Con 10:12). "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginnings of our confidence stedfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14). "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Heb. 6:4-6). "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matt. 24:13).
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