Since the early church, denominationalism has veered from the Sanctifying power of God and its evidence taught in the Holy Scripture. Unfortunately many denominations differ on the topic of Sanctification, Baptism, Holiness, Tongues, etc. Why? It usually comes down to a misunderstanding of the two baptisms performed by either Christ or the Holy Spirit; and of course water baptism which is performed by a priest or preacher through immersion, sprinkling, pouring, etc.
Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the human soul at the crucifixion of self, and the purging of the Adamic nature. Sanctification deals with the believer that has the old Adam that still tries to rule. Sanctification purges the soul of man from the old man and thus takes possession of that heart and life and makes it totally right and holy in the sight of God. The power of God's Sanctification is not regeneration at the new birth as many seem to think. Sanctification comes after regeneration.
There are two baptisms under the Grace of God in the life of man that hears the Gospel. Neither baptism performed by God is a progressive work toward Salvation. Both are instantaneous operations of the Spirit upon or within the human soul: First is the baptism into the body performed by the Holy Spirit and subsequent to Salvation is the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire performed by Christ. The latter describes in more detail…the promise of the Father.
Old Testament Prophecy through the Gospel message was preached by the Apostles. Christ was magnified and the Promise of the Father fell: Joel 2:28, Psalms 16:8-10, Psalms 132:11, Psalms 110:1 As revival spread through the land, Christ was preached and the Holy Ghost continued to fall upon men even after the day of Pentecost. The power of the Spirit of God continues to fill men today, the same way as it did then. The office of the Apostles did not cease nor did tongues after the day of Pentecost. Christ and His body are the same today as in the first century.
The language of the Bible defines the promise of the Father and the Sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit in many different ways.
• Shed Forth…Acts 2:33…Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
• Fallen upon…Acts 8:15-17…Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost
• Poured out…Acts 10:44-46…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
• Came on…Acts 19:2-6…He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
The inner work from Christ’s baptism is the primary evidence of the Fathers promise. Heart purity is result of the Holy Spirit’s work that delivers man from the conflicts of life. The pure heart and the controlled life allow the Spirit of God to get man away from; 1… the helplessness of an inner conflict 2…the outer conflicts which consist of the burdens of the world. Heart purity helps man to be fully dependent on Christ…without distraction. Peter from experience on the day of Pentecost describes the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire as … heart purity.
• Acts 15:7-9…And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
The promise of the Father is the Sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost in the souls of men. As God calls men through the Gospel message the power and presence of the Holy Ghost should never be limited. The promise of the Father is the greatest evidence we have today…of a resurrected Lord.
• Acts 2:39…For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call
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