Entire Sanctification/ Christian Perfection

[Live4Eternity]

The Nazarene church has a doctrine called "Entire Sanctification". This was a branch of the Holiness movement that formed the Methodist and Pentecostism. The Pentecost terminology of "Entire Sanctification" is called "Christian Perfection".

By the way I understand it, and by what I've read on it along with what others of the dinomination have told me, Entire Sanctification is where God removes the "Sin Nature" from a person's heart. Therefore, they never "knowingly" sin. Not that they don't sin, but that they don't "knowingly" sin. Bassically, they never have the desire to sin, for God has removed that sinful nature that causes that desire.

Now, I haven't studied much on the Pentecostal view of Christian Perfection, but please respond. I've looked around here at Worthy and have not seen a topic that really hit this issue. There was one topic that touched on it, but wasn't really elaborated.

By my understanding, Sanctifiaction is a Process, not a single, fulfilled in a one time event. I've studied a little on it and it was described by one of the denominational leaders that, "It is the begining of a process.."

But if it's the beginning of a process, then why is it tought as a completion of a process that can be obtained here in this life?

Can one really be entirely sanctified in this life? Is that really possible? I have my beliefs by what prayer and study has told me, please, I would love to hear more and reasons supporting.

GOT INPUT?

lol

[Joshua-777]

, Sanctifiaction is a Process, not a single, fulfilled in a one time event

very true, by my understanding it is a growing process, Paul concidered himself unperfect, in Romans chapter 7, saying that there is nothing good in him, and also supports that Paul knowingly sins, We all sin, and we all know we sin, so we knowing we are sinners, we serve the law of flesh. I don't believe Entire Sanctification will happen in this life, because yes we will always be tempted, if not by somthing, than somthing else, But we will never be tempted beyond what we can bear. I don't believe in entire sanctification until I'm chillin with Jesus, face to face.

[Live4Eternity]

, Sanctifiaction is a Process, not a single, fulfilled in a one time event

very true, by my understanding it is a growing process, Paul concidered himself unperfect, in Romans chapter 7, saying that there is nothing good in him, and also supports that Paul knowingly sins, We all sin, and we all know we sin, so we knowing we are sinners, we serve the law of flesh. I don't believe Entire Sanctification will happen in this life, because yes we will always be tempted, if not by somthing, than somthing else, But we will never be tempted beyond what we can bear.

This is one way that this doctrine will be defended. That they know that they sin, but they don't "willingly" or "knowingly" sin when the actual sin occurs. They use Romans 7 as a defense in this doctrine of Entire Sanctification by saying that Paul didn't actually purpose to sin, but it just happened without any single purpose. In other words, Paul wasn't meaning to sin.

Also, saying that one will always be tempted doesn't disprove it either, because Christ was tempted and yet had no sin.

One guy was healed on the Sabbath near the healing pool and was being question about who did this on the Sabbath, for it was unlawfull to them. Listen to this:

11But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Pick up your pallet and walk.'"

12They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Pick up your pallet and walk'?"

13But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.

14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not (I)sin anymore, (J)so that nothing worse happens to you." - NASB

IF Jesus told the guy not to sin anymore, as He did many others, then would He tell someone something that's impossible to do?

Also, when Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, Jesus said in John 1:47,

47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an (A)Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" -NASB

47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." - NIV

47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! -KJV

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him,

Edited December 6, 2006 by Live4Eternity

[Leonard]

I believe in it....

[Live4Eternity]

I believe in it....

You believe in what?

[Live4Eternity]

Does anyone here believe in the Entire Sanctification doctrine of the Nazarene church?

[Tzav_LaTzav]

I am not sure what the Nazarene church teaches about this -- their definition of it -- but I know many Nazarenes, and not one of them sees themselves as having reached faultlessness. They do, however, believe in living perfectly, as in maturely, the biblical definition of perfection. As I understand it, entire sanctification is maturity in Messiah -- living according to their received understanding.

[kenod]

.

The desire to sin is taken away when one is born again. That means I have no wish to do anything displeasing to my Lord.

Will I do things wrong ... every day it seems!

In another sense you cannot sin, because the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (ongoing) us from all sin.

If you see that as an excuse to sin, then you were not born again to begin with.

1John 3:9

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Phil 3:12

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

[Leonard]

I believe very much in Christian Perfectionism. See "Theosis" in the Eastern Rite churches.........

[nanasimmons]

Everyone since the fall, are born with a sin nature it is in our flesh...Sin comes through the father, so any one who has a earthy father is born with original sin..and there body will die except those who are raptured and changed before entering into heaven.

If our bodies were made completely perfect, then we would not die, we would have everlasting life, here and now..

Jesus had no earthy Father ,He had no sin, His body is already in heaven .

Edited December 30, 2006 by nanasimmons