What is the rest which the sanctified soul enjoys?

What is the rest which the sanctified soul enjoys?

The Saviour says,"My peace I give unto you." "The work of righteousness [holiness] shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

1. It is not a state in which we do not sympathize with the joys and sorrows of others.

2. It is not a state of exemption from physical or mental suffering.

3. It is not a state of exemption from the Christian warfare, or a state of inglorious ease from labor and Christian duty.

4. It is a state of settled and complete satisfaction in God, he being "all in all " to the soul. 

5. It is a state of rest from the former servitude to doubts, fears, and inbred sin.

6. It is a state of rest, in which the tumult of the heart has been hushed into calmness; and fear, and discord, and doubt have given place to quietness and assurance.

7. It is a state of deep and permanent quietude and assurance in respect to all our interests, temporal and eternal.

8. It is a state of sweet rest from all conflict between the will and the conscience. "The body of sin has been destroyed," and the soul has peace with itself inward quietude. "It will feast your souls with such peace and joy in God (says Wesley) as will blot out the remembrance of everything that we called peace or joy before."

"Now rest, my long-divided heart; Fixed on this blissful center, rest; Nor ever from thy Lord depart With him of every good possessed."

Second Bible Study: The Redeemer, Abraham's Seed

The Scripture portion (Hebrews 2:5-18) for this second lesson emphasizes the neccesity of Christ's becoming a man. Consider the necessity of the Incarnation. When God created man, He placed him on earth to "have dominion." When Adam sinned, he became disqualified to rule. Christ, as the second Adam, perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father. Christ faced and overcame every onslaught of Satan and every difficulty faced by humanity. Thus, He is qualified to be both the Redeemer of men and the King of Kings.

The first section is "The Ruler of Creation." The first portion of the lesson is primarily a quote from Psalm 8. After man is created, God tells Adam to be fruitful and multiply. Paul quotes Psalm 8:4-6 to show that Christ, becoming a man, was not inferior to angels. The psalmist relates that man is the capstone of God's creation. He has placed His creation under the authority and control of man. However, when man sinned, he became disqualified to rule over God's creation. God would not be thwarted though. Jesus becomes the second Adam and will accomplish the Father's purpose. Someday, men, as priests and kings, will rule the planet. God's original purpose for man's existence will be fulfilled. Will you be ready to rule? The time for preparation to be ready is now. We ned to be saved and sanctified and walking in all the light we have. Intentional rebellion against God has no place in the life of a believer.

The second section (verses 9-13) is "The Captain of Salvation." In this section, we see Jesus' becoming man, enduring the afflictions of mankind, and dying in our place. Jesus took on our identity that He might redeem us. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. His wisdom transcends our understanding. The Son of God would become a man to "captain" our salvation. The word "captain" means "author" or "originator." From before the foundation of the world this plan was in effect to bring about your salvation and sanctification. In Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17, enlarges our understanding of verse 11. Sanctification involves two primary meanings: to set apart or consecrate and to cleanse from sin. Christ is not ashamed to call the sanctified believer "brethren." In Matthew 12:47-50, Jesus tells us that His brethren, i.e. His family, are those that who do the will of His Father in Heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says that the will of God is our sanctification. The Captain of our Salvation has provided for our salvation and sanctification. Have you received these gifts?

The third section (14-16) is "The Conqueror of Death." The last two sections of this study are thrilling and assuring. Christ has conquered death, assuring us of victory. He is our High Priest, able to see us through any battle. Through faith, we have strength, comfort, and hope in our blessed Savior. Though man fell in the Garden of Eden, Christ prevented man's final and irrevocable fall by becoming a man, and making atonement. Fallen angels were not redeemed. Fallen man was. "Death has never been the same since He died." I have performed many funerals. Those services involving a departed saint were much different than funerals of lost souls. The former were filled with hope and celebration of a life lived for Christ. The latter, were filled with despair and sadness. To the lost, the separation was final and permanent. To the redeemed, the separation is temporary and there is hope for a glorious reunion! Praise His name for conquering death for mankind.

The fourth section (17,18) is "The Faithful High Priest." Hebrews is the only book which unfolds the truths regarding Jesus in His priestly ministry. The Old Testament priest would make the sacrifice for the one seeking forgiveness. However, Jesus, our High Priest, has reconciled us to God. His sacrifice is complete. To "reconcile" is to bring together by removing that which separates. Since the fall of Adam, everyone born was born with a sinful nature. However, after one is saved through the blood of Christ, that same blood will cleanse us from our sinful nature when we are entirely sanctified subsequent to being born again. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist all avenues of temptation: the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. What a marvelous High Priest we have!

The Golden Text is "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3 We can live a life of victory over sin because of the work of Jesus Christ our Savior and Sanctifier.

My summary points:
1. One day we will rule, so we need to get ready now in this life.
2. Jesus' family are those that do the will of His Father.
3. Since Jesus has conquered death, we may live forever.
4. Our High Priest has offered the perfect sacrifice for our salvation and sanctification.

Next week: "Warnings Against Unbelief."

Don't forget to read the Sunday school Beacon.

What is the character of the evidence of a state of entire sanctification?

What is the character of the evidence of a state of entire sanctification?

It is just as strong, positive and reliable as can be given to substantiate any fact. Indeed it is the very strongest of all evidence.

1. The testimony of consciousness. This testimony we can no more doubt than we can doubt our existence. No testimony is more certain than this. By it we know we live and breathe, love or

hate, sit or stand, or walk, and that we are joyful or sorrowful, happy or wretched. The sanctified soul may be as clearly and fully conscious of purity as the unsanctified is of impurity. While on the one hand pride, anger, unbelief, love of the world, are matters of positive consciousness, on the other hand love, peace, humility, patience, faith, are equally so. Indeed, conscience usually speaks louder and clearer in the latter case than in the former, because it has received more gracious energy. Sin paralyzes; grace quickens.

2. The testimony of God -- "The witness of the Spirit." This testimony is divine, direct, and positive. The Holy Ghost is the witnessing Spirit.
(1) He speaks first to the sinner's heart. Every convicted sinner has the witness of the Spirit, testifying to his guilt, condemnation, and exposure to the displeasure of God.
(2) He speaks to every justified soul. Every truly regenerated soul has, or may have, the witness of the Spirit, testifying that he is born of God, and in a state of justification.
(3) He speaks to every sanctified soul. Every truly sanctified soul has, or may have, the witness of the Spirit, testifying that the blood of Jesus Christ hath cleansed him from all sin. Now, while all this testimony is given by the infallible Spirit, the latter testimony is given under more favorable circumstances, and, consequently, is quite as clear and strong, if not more so, than either of the others.

We sum up this testimony as follows:
1. The convicted penitent sinner may know by the testimony of his spirit, and the witness of the Holy Spirit, that he is guilty and unsaved. This testimony is stronger and clearer than in the impenitent.
2. The justified soul may know, and be equally certain, by the testimony of his spirit and the witness of the Holy Spirit, that God has regenerated his nature, and pardoned his sins. This testimony is stronger and clearer than that of the convicted sinner.
3. The sanctified soul may know with equal certainty by his spirit, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that God has cleansed his heart from all sin. This testimony is still clearer and stronger than that of the merely regenerated. The inferential and corroborating evidences are equally as strong for the fully sanctified as in either of the other cases.

PRESENT DAY TRENDS AND THE NEEDFOR REVIVAL IN THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT Part 3

6. The Growing Tendency Toward Recreational Rather Than Spiritual Pursuits.

Participation by preachers and laymen in questionable recreational activities is an indication that we are not a "separated" people any longer. World Series ball games, corrupt television programs, prize fights, community affairs where gambling and nudeness are paramount and such like indulgences are grieving God's Spirit away from us. God is a jealous God and will not look on sin of any nature.
Banqueting is becoming a fixed routine in many conventions and gatherings. While some things of this nature are not in themselves sinful, yet we are falling into a trend of socialized gospel. We ought to enjoy prolonged prayer vigils together more than periods of feasting and frivolity. It is a shifting of emphasis which is spelling our downfall.

Halloween parties are now being sponsored inside the sanctuary and in some churches a kitchen is standard equipment: "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set" (Proverbs 22:28).

7. Academic and Cultural Over-Emphasis in our Colleges.

Originally our schools were founded to serve the church exclusively in producing and training preachers and missionaries to save the lost. Now the church is called upon to support a college curriculum on the level of a State University with a minor emphasis on producing spiritual giants and Bible preachers and teachers.

Also we have set a pace in our cultural and recreational curriculum which tends to have the same sway over our students as any worldly college. We follow all the silly customs of Freshman initiation, no matter how stupid it looks to the outside or what scars it leaves on conscientious students who want to be an example of true holiness. Our "wide open" scope of academic and cultural "spread" opens the doors to unspiritual people allowing them to pursue their secular pursuits and introduce worldliness into our midst. They get the benefit of church supported training and go out on their own when finished and never put back a thing into the church -- in service or money.
We don't feel it is the mission of the church of Christ to educate the sons of the world. This is a violation of Bible separation from the world.

All this grieves the Spirit. He cannot reign in complete control over an arrangement of this kind.

8. An Improper Distribution of Finance

The law of love as stated by the Apostle James tells us that "if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"
We seem to have developed a "double standard" of ministerial support. It seems not to concern our central leadership that many Home Mission pastors get little or no support to carry forth a very vital ministry here in America. They are expected to rough it through and carry their own financial load by secular work and also help pay the church's bills and budgets while at the same time we multiply offices with salaried men on a high level and continue to take on larger building projects and pay no attention to the decaying Home Mission front. I believe God expects strict and just stewardship in this realm as in others. A "feast or famine" standard of ministerial support is contrary to the law of love and the scriptural implication of the reason for tithing.

In the field of education we are not getting sanctified results from sanctified dollars.

Multiplicity of departments and their heads are taking an increasing amount of support which should be directed more specifically to the actual function of the preaching of the Gospel. Holiness evangelism on the level of personal witness and revival efforts is still the "cutting edge" of the "Gospel sword."

Strict stewardship of the tithe and offerings of the people of God is a distinct responsibility imposed upon all in authority by God Himself. We can commit the sin of robbery on a general plane the same as individuals who refuse to pay their tithe. We are under moral obligation to use sanctified money at every level for God's purposes, rightly interpreted.

PRESENT DAY TRENDS AND THE NEED FOR REVIVAL IN THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT Part 2

Today, we continue to look at some trends and needs in the holiness movement. This material was taken from a book written by Rev. Earl L. Gardner, a Church of the Nazarene minister, about 60 years ago.

3. The Growing Tendency Toward Recreational Rather Than Spiritual Pursuits.

Participation by preachers and laymen in questionable recreational activities is an indication that we are not a "separated" people any longer. World Series ball games, corrupt television programs, prize fights, community affairs where gambling and nudeness are paramount and such like indulgences are grieving God's Spirit away from us. God is a jealous God and will not look on sin of any nature.
Banqueting is becoming a fixed routine in many conventions and gatherings. While some things of this nature are not in themselves sinful, yet we are falling into a trend of socialized gospel. We ought to enjoy prolonged prayer vigils together more than periods of feasting and frivolity. It is a shifting of emphasis which is spelling our downfall.

Halloween parties are now being sponsored inside the sanctuary and in some churches a kitchen is standard equipment: "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set" (Proverbs 22:28).

4.Academic and Cultural Over-Emphasis in our Colleges.

Originally our schools were founded to serve the church exclusively in producing and training preachers and missionaries to save the lost. Now the church is called upon to support a college curriculum on the level of a State University with a minor emphasis on producing spiritual giants and Bible preachers and teachers.

Also we have set a pace in our cultural and recreational curriculum which tends to have the same sway over our students as any worldly college. We follow all the silly customs of Freshman initiation, no matter how stupid it looks to the outside or what scars it leaves on conscientious students who want to be an example of true holiness. Our "wide open" scope of academic and cultural "spread" opens the doors to unspiritual people allowing them to pursue their secular pursuits and introduce worldliness into our midst. They get the benefit of church supported training and go out on their own when finished and never put back a thing into the church -- in service or money.
We don't feel it is the mission of the church of Christ to educate the sons of the world. This is a violation of Bible separation from the world.

All this grieves the Spirit. He cannot reign in complete control over an arrangement of this kind.

The Forward Look

Our heart cry is "back to Pentecost." Let us free ourselves of our spiritual shackles and set our spiritual houses in order. Let us be reassured that God is still interested in the souls of men and is anxious to bless any and all who will pay the price in obedience and sacrifice to open the channels of spiritual power. Pentecostal power upon the Church is the only answer,

It is time to ". . . blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. . . Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children. . . Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2:15-17).

PRESENT DAY TRENDS AND THE NEED FOR REVIVAL IN THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT

The following excerpt is taken from a book written by Earl L Gardner, a Church of the Nazarene minister, about 60 years ago. I direct this at no church or organization. But as my mentor Rev. J. Herbert Norton would say, "If the shoe pinches take it off." His meaning was that if something hurts, fix it so it doesn't hurt. 

PRESENT DAY TRENDS AND THE NEED FOR REVIVAL IN THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT

A general sense of need for a fresh visitation of God upon us is felt by many within the holiness churches today. This is giving rise to a spirit of heart searching and re-evaluation of the mission and function of our churches.

The trend which has been toward unification is somewhat shifting to a trend toward division into new groups in an effort to regain the early spiritual power and purity of the early days and which is so sadly lacking today. 

History seems to indicate that when a church exists long enough to acquire its own institutions of learning and matures into a strong and well organized denomination it carries with it the seeds of spiritual failure. The "machine" seems to become so complex that all its working parts cannot coordinate in complete obedience to the checks and leadings of the Holy Spirit. It becomes overly complicated with its numbers of committees and departments until the average layman and preacher alike seem to be confused in trying to keep in step with the program. The source of weakness is not easily found, however, since it seems that each function taken by itself has value.
Nevertheless, there are some very real diversions which may be responsible for the low spiritual tide within. We list some here which we feel are definite points of weakness leading to spiritual decline and decay.

1. Usurping the Power of the Pulpit

The Christian pulpit is central in the life of the Church of Jesus Christ, since it is by the preaching of the Word that men are saved. It is "God's throne" of communication to His people. It is the "Holy of Holies" to the heart and life of the people of God.

We must not desecrate its power and potential for lesser ideals and objectives by:
(1) Promotional speeches to promote secular, political, or social functions which have no bearing on our primary mission of holiness evangelism.
(2) Promotion of man-made projects and programs which substitute for God-inspired preaching of the Word.

We are against cut and dried preaching schedules designed to promote denominational projects out of harmony with our true mission. Our ministers must be "voices" not "echoes." Not denominational or organizational "puppets" who have no conviction of their own. I am not here advocating a poor spirit of cooperation with those things which are good and in order, but the

preacher must maintain a Biblical sense of values. He must keep himself in tune with God so as to preach the Word of God with full authority.

2. Over-Emphasis on Statistical Gains

(a) We think it unnecessary to set quotas for church membership. First of all, it is our task to everlastingly evangelize the lost. If we succeed in this, the membership problem will be worked out proportionately and properly. If we set goals to get a certain number of members and set out to get them, the temptation is to by-pass the Bible requirements and "pick our fruit green." The principle of probation should be practiced in essence if not so designated
This is a dangerous trend. Other old-line churches have lost their spiritual moorings at this point.
(b) The same danger is seen in financial quotas which tend to create similar tensions on the people. While we certainly believe all should tithe and give offerings, yet it must be done as a means of obedience to God and as a spiritual service and not primarily to make a quota or goal. We must keep the horse ahead of the cart. This is not to rule out challenge, but to keep the undergirding sense of worship and free-will giving basic.

Is there a distinction between entire consecration and entire sanctification?

Is there a distinction between entire consecration and entire sanctification?

There is; and the act of entire consecration should not be confounded with the fact of entire sanctification. Submission to God, or entire consecration, is our act, with assisting grace. Entire sanctification is God's work, wrought in the soul. Sanctification follows consecration in point of time, as the offering is made before the sin consuming power is received. Sanctification always includes consecration; but entire consecration does not necessarily include entire sanctification, -- it precedes and accompanies it.

A Congregationalist, Rev. Dr. Upham, states this distinction thus: "I do not consider consecration and sanctification the same thing. Consecration is the incipient, the prerequisite act. It is the laying ourselves upon the altar; but it is not until God has accepted the sacrifice, and wrought upon us by the consuming and restoring work of the Holy Spirit, that we can be said to be sanctified. It is true the one may immediately and almost instantaneously follow the other and this will be the case when faith in God is perfect." To this Bishop Janes responds "Amen, Never did uninspired man state the point more scripturally or with more clearness and force." -- Introduction to Pioneer Experiences.
Dr. Fowler says "There are two postulates taught by the advocates of the 'higher life,' as the essential conditions of it." attainment, namely, entire consecration, and absolute faith in God's acceptance of the consecration. " -- Editorial in Advocate.

What is the difference between the consecration previous to conversion and that previous to entire sanctification?

They are essentially the same, each involving submission to God and the true spirit of obedience. But, while in principle they are the same, that which precedes entire sanctification is

made with a fuller and deeper sense of the import of full submission to God. The penitent seeking pardon, consecrates himself to the full extent of his discovery of truth and duty but only with the light of a convicted sinner. The believer, seeking purity, renews this consecration, in view of the revelations which increasing light, time, and the word of God have made of his duty and moral deficiency.