BLJ: As a holiness preacher/evangelist, I have urged many to seek entire sanctification? What exactly did I mean by that term? Today and tomorrow we answer the question, "What is Entire Sanctification?"
1. What is entire sanctification?
Entire sanctification is that work of grace by which God cleanses the born again individual or child of God from the sinful nature which remains in his heart after the new birth.
2. Are there other terms used in the Scriptures for this experience?
There are. It is called the baptism with the Holy Spirit, crucifixion of the flesh, perfect love, heart purity, cleansing from all sin, perfection of holiness.
3. By what means is this experience of entire sanctification provided?
It is provided through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, through His blood. "Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate" (Heb. 13:12). "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb. 10:10).
4. By what means is this experience wrought in the heart of the child of God?
Through the work of the Holy Spirit. "Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:16). "Through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (II Thess. 2:13).
5. Are we to believe that entire sanctification and the baptism with the Holy Spirit are different experiences?
No. They are one and the same experience. Entire sanctification emphasizes the negative or cleansing phase of the experience, while the baptism with the Holy Spirit emphasizes the positive or empowering phase. The disciples testified to being cleansed from all sin or made pure in heart through the baptism with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 15:8, 9)
6. In this work of entire sanctification is the sinful nature brought into more perfect control or is it entirely removed from the heart of the Christian?
It is entirely removed from the heart of the Christian. Because this sinful nature is enmity against God, is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be (Romans 8:7), it cannot be incorporated into the Christian life, it cannot be harmonized with the nature of God, nor can it be brought under perfect control. The only remedy is removal or deliverance. Hence, "the blood of Jesus Christ ... cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).
7. In the work of entire sanctification is "the old man" merely set aside, or completely "put off"?
The "old man" is completely "put off" (Eph. 4:22) and in this act of "putting off the old man" the "new man" is completely "put on"; so that the new man with its affections and purposes fully occupies the heart and nature of the believer. The "new man" is the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment