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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | Sir Pent | 18257 | ||
Dear Forum Coleagues, Since Lanny has recently asked about this subject, I believe it would be good to resurrect and add to this thread from long ago. I am curious how your study turned out Tim Moran. What did you end up deciding and why? |
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2 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 18267 | ||
Greetings Sir! Thanks for asking! For those who may not be familiar with my past post or who may have forgotten, I am considering switching my ordination to the Nazarene Church. I come from a Weslyian/Arminian tradition, so I have no problems with the majority of their doctrinal stands. However, I was not very familiar with their emphasis upon "Entire Sanctification." So, I set out on a study of it to see if I could subscribe to it or not. My results were mixed. The good news was that I came to a position that I was comfortable with (though I haven't consulted with the Nazarene leadership as of yet, to see if they would be comfortable with my position). The bad news was that I am not convinced that even the Nazarenes are entirely sure what they mean by "Entire Sanctification." The following are some of the points that guided my decision (Note: This is by no means an exhaustive study!): 1) I have long held to the standard belief in initial, progressive, and final sanctification. I remain convinced that there three aspects of sanctification are all Biblical. 2) I have also long held to the belief that Rom. 6-8 points to a true freedom from sin (not an impossibility to sin, but the possibility not to sin). I believe that Rom. 6 makes that argument that it is possible for us not to yield or be slaves to sin. I believe that Rom. 7 refers to Paul’s struggle, in the flesh, to be obedient to the Law. I believe that Rom. 8 reveals that Christ accomplished for us what the Law could not do, setting us free from the Law of Sin and Death. 3) There are several verses or passages which seem to indicate a work of sanctification subsequent to salvation: a) Verses which refer to believers as "being sanctified" - like 1 Cor. 1:2. These verses normally use the perfect tense, to indicate a past action with continuing results. b) Verses like 1 Thess. 5:23 which pray for complete sanctification during this life. The range of Nazarene teaching on this issue is broad. However, a recent book helped me to formulate a position which I think is Biblical, and with which I would be comfortable. This book (sorry, I can’t recall the title - and I don’t have a copy yet!) proposed the following basic understanding. 1) Believers are set free from the power of sin. 2) We have been sanctified, we are being sanctified, and we will be sanctified fully when we reach Heaven. 3) But, many Christians have not reached a level of maturity or commitment in their lives where they are living out this reality. 4) Entire Sanctification therefore, is a second work, not necessarily separated in time from conversion, at which a believer is so motivated by love for Christ that he/she fully consecrates themselves to Christ. 5) Nothing "new" really happens to the believer, but the believer simply begins to walk in the freedom from sin that Christ purchased for them on the Cross. None of the writers I read believed that "Entire Sanctification" means that it is impossible to sin again. This is still a work in progress, so please let me know what you think! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | NazMan | 23585 | ||
This is the truest statement you made: "The bad news was that I am not convinced that even the Nazarenes are entirely sure what they mean by "Entire Sanctification."" I am a seminary student, and a member of the church of the Nazarene. As I began delving into the issue, I also became a bit frustrated that every Naz pastor seemed to define it in a different way. Brent above really nails it though. The most common misunderstandings are that entire sanctification means sinless perfection, which it does not, and that the experience of entire sanctification negates sanctification as a process, which also it does not. I have come to term it more in my mind as entire consecration, and rely on Romans 8 and 12:1-2, not as proof texts per se, but as my encouragement. |
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4 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 23603 | ||
Greetings Nazman! Have you read the new book by Frank Moore, "Breaking Free from Sin's Grip"? I like the way he presents the issue. He basically says what you said that sanctification is both a process and an experience. The experience of entire sanctification is defined as a moment of consecration which results in a real heart change. I have been doing a lot of reading on this issue and it is true - each person you ask has a slightely different definition! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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5 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | NazMan | 23690 | ||
Then I may as well add mine, lol. Most Christians outside the holiness denominations see sanctification as a process; it "happens" as you "grow" in your faith. Many seem to think that this process is a given, that it is automatic subsequent to conversion/justification. The holiness folk, I believe in reaction to this, concentrate on the experience of entire sanctification, that in an instantaneous second work of grace, at which time the believer is entirely consecrated and cleansed, baptized by the Spirit. I believe both are right to an extent, and I think Wesley would agree. Sanctification is a process that begins in an instant. It does not just happen that you grow or become more holy, it takes intentional cooperation with the Spirit working in you and through you. (I am not talking about working for salvation, by the way, this is subsequent to justification). Therefore, the nature of this process is such that it begins in an instant, through an experience. I liken it to the step of faith one takes when first giving one's life to Christ. One accepts by faith God's gift of salvation and eternal life, just as one accepts by faith God's gift of sanctification, consecrating oneself and placing one's body on the altar as a living sacrifice. I believe this view is more accurate biblically, and also matches the experience of most believers, whatever their theological tradition. I have not read the book you mentioned above. One you might consider though is InterVarsity's "Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification" (Donald Alexander, ed.) |
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6 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 23696 | ||
Greetings NazMan! Thanks for the input! I think you are right on! I have Zondervan's "Five Views on Sanctification." It includes chapters by: Melvin Dieter (Wesleyan); Anthony Hoekema (Reformed); Stanley Horton (Pentecostal); J. Robertson McQuilkin (Keswikian); and John Walvoord (Augustinian-Dispenstational). It is pretty good, but in all honesty I got more out of Frank Moore's book. In his book, he says of sanctification: "Santification begins in the new birth, grows with spiritual development to the time of a second momement (Rom. 12:1-2) when the Spirit takes complete control, then develops incrementally in maturity throughout a believer's life." p. 79. It is an interesting issue and one which I have to come to grips with if I do transfer my credentials to the Nazarene church. I am seriously leaning in that direction. I plan on meeting with the district leadership soon and see if my view is acceptable to them! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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7 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 23739 | ||
Greetings Tim and NazMan! I may be speaking from a Wesleyan/Methodist background, but my view of what "Entire Sanctification" means is very much like John Wesley's (surprise, surprise! :-) ). So to accurately present what and how I believe Entire Sanctification applies to us, then I will quote part of Brent Douglas' excellent post... "My understanding is that passages and verses such as Luke 14:25ff and Matthew 6:24-Luke 16:14, Romans 12:1f, etc. give the clearest indication of what Wesley meant by entire sanctification. It is not a condition of sinless perfection or an ability to set aside the flesh completely. Rather it is a state or condition of being fully set apart, not only positionally by God but in one's own heart and will -- a condition in which (by the Spirit's empowerment) nothing is allowed by the will to compete with God for allegiance. While there is great disagreement among those who have the pursuit of "holiness" as one of their central guiding principles -- I believe Wesley seems fairly clear in his own (later) writings that any state of "entire sanctification" can be lost and regained without at all affecting salvation itself. I believe Wesley would interpret 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a very real possibility for the true Christian at any given time and not simply a worthy but unattainable goal." Blessings to you, Nolan |
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8 | Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 23743 | ||
Support....................................... Greetings Nolan! I hope you will have or are having a Happy Thanksgiving! :-) I agree with what you and Brent. I have read some of Wesley's writings on this issue and it seems pretty clear that he saw entire sanctification as a heart matter more than anything else. He used the term "love" alot. That's basically what this new book by Frank Moore argues as well, that sanctification begins at new birth and continues all through our lives with many ups and downs. But, he believes that there is a moment subsequent to salvation where we really come to grips with the Lordship of Christ and fully consecrate ourselves to Him. This is the moment he believes that entire sanctification refers to - every key to the house is turned over to God. I like this view and I think it makes good sense of Rom. 6. I have long been concerned, even before I began thinking about joining the Nazarenes, that many didn't really take the words of Rom. 6 seriously enough. Is the old man dead or not? Are we slaves to sin or not? I think Rom. 6 very clearly says yes to the first and no to the second. Concerning the relationship between salvation and entire sanctification, I haven't read anyone yet who thinks that entire sanctification in any way affects one's salvation - though I'm sure that there is someone somewhere! :-) I definitely agree with you and Brent about 1 Cor. 10:13! The verse states that this is a reality, not a possibility! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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