Subject: Is Entire Sanctification Scriptural? |
Bible Note: 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 |