SANCTIFICATION; A SECOND WORK OF GRACE
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, (sanctification) without which no man shall see the Lord. Heb.12:14
All Pentecostal people that I am acquainted with teach and preach holiness as God's plan to live. We all believe that the scriptures teach that it is possible by the help of the Lord to live clean and free from sin. We do not teach that one "cannot sin"--but as stated before we insist that a person can live apart and free from sin., if they will yield wholly to Jesus. God has taught us that one should live "soberly, righteously and godly" in this present world. Titus 2:12 -- We are told to be holy --- 1st Pet.1:15-16 - In one of our previous lessons we made this statement: "No person can hold the word of God in their hand and have an excuse for sin." A person can live just as they choose! You by the grace of God can live holy and be saved, or you can live in sin and be lost! This is a matter up to the individual. Sin is a transgression of the law --- lst John 3:4; There is no person or power that can possibly FORCE you to break the law of God on the other hand there is no person or power that will FORCE you to live holy. As already made clear, it is up to YOU!
We hold that in Justification (repentance) we have peace with God. Rom.5:1 Our own sins are remitted through repentance and water baptism in Jesus' name -- Luke 24:47-Acts 2:38 -- However, the bible teaches us that we are conceived in iniquity and born in sin" --- Psm.51:5 -- There is a carnal and sinful nature that is in man from birth. We inherit this nature from the fall of Adam in the garden. This carnal nature cannot be "forgiven" as we didn't make the transgression but Jesus provided a "cleansing", through his shed blood that "over and above" our justification we may be free from this sinful nature. Remember the words of Paul when he said: Wherefore Jesus "ALSO" that he might sanctify the people WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered without the gate. Heb.13:12 -- Not only did he shed his blood to forgive and remit our sins but also to cleanse, sanctify and make holy. This cleansing power (sanctification) certainly comes AFTER repentance and BEFORE one is filled or baptized with the Holy Ghost. Surely, everyone will admit that the temple (body) must be holy BEFORE the Holy Ghost will come in to take up his abode. Please notice that Paul said the "temple of God is holy" -- 1st. Cor 3:17 --- Yes, we are sanctified BY the Holy Ghost -- Rom.15:16; we are also justified by the Holy Ghost -- 1st.Cor.6:11 -- This doesn't mean the "Baptism of the Holy Ghost" -- Every move of God is by His Spirit for God is a Spirit. We are sanctified through the truth (John 17:17); By faith (Acts 26: 18); By the Holy Ghost (Rom.15:16); and WITH THE BLOOD --- Heb.13:12
I invite your attention to a study of John 17 as set forth below. I am sure if you will read and study these scriptures with an open mind that God will help you to see this beautiful truth of sanctification as a second work of grace. Let me assure you that EVERY one that has ever received the baptism of the Spirit was FIRST sanctified! It is impossible to receive the Holy Ghost UNTIL you are sanctified! Many have the blessing of the Holy Ghost today that wasn't taught sanctification as we are presenting it in this lesson today but you may rest assured that somewhere and sometime BEFORE you spoke in tongues you were SANCTIFIED! Now, let us make a study of John 17 on this bible subject.
-------I PRAY FOR THEM ----------------------- John 17:9
------ I PRAY NOT FOR THE WORLD --------- John 17:9
------ SANCTIFY THEM ------------------------- John 17:17
In this prayer the Lord did not pray for sinners -- He prayed for his disciples --- He prayed for them to be SANCTIFIED! This proves to any honest heart that a person can be a follower of the Lord in a repented stage and then NOT be sanctified. Please notice again these scriptures. Now, let us read some more in this chapter and make a comparison with other scriptures.
I pray - "that they might have my JOY And they worshipped him, and returned to fulfilled in themselves." John 17:13 Jerusalem with great joy. Luke 24:52
I pray- "That they all may be ONE" These all continued with one accord in ------------------ John 17:21 prayer ------------ Acts 1:14
Please examine these verses as given in both columns and you will notice that the prayer that was prayed for the sanctification was answered BEFORE the day of Pentecost. This proves that they were sanctified BEFORE they received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
The bible says that Jesus led his disciples out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and BLESSED them Luke 24:50 --- Yes, Jesus BLESSED them! It was here that the prayer of John 17 -- "Sanctify them" was truly answered. I pray that Jesus will open the eyes of those who are in darkness to the blessing of sanctification through the blood of Jesus Christ.