After the new birth is experienced a conflict begins between the carnal and the divine natures. This conflict arises between a newfound state of holiness and the selfish old nature of man that has always gone its own way. As the Holy Spirit reveals the person and presence of Christ to the human conscience the Old man is exposed to the delivering power of the Holy Spirit. This enlightenment shows man what he really is in the presence of a Savior. This enlightenment becomes man’s path to end the conflict or struggle within. Through the perfect work of the Holy Spirit all believers in Christ are led to the crucifixion of self which is the human side of Sanctification.
• Gal 5:24…And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
• Rom 6:6… Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him
• Rom 6:7…For he that is dead is freed from sin.
As the revelation of Calvary is made known in the heart of a believer death to self is also made known through the Holy Spirit’s presence. When the Old Man is finally put to death, the body of sin can be destroyed through the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. The word, destroy in the Greek katargeo means: to put away…at one stroke which implies an instantaneous act of the Spirit of God and deals particularly with the carnal nature of man.
• Rom 6:6…Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
• Col 2:11…in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
• Gal 5:24-25… And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
This Baptism which follows the new birth cleanses and purifies the hearts desire from the old life, the old ways, and the old habits. The cleansing work of the Holy Spirit destroys the body of sin and is not a progressive work. It’s an instantaneous and perfect work of God’s purity and holiness. It deals specifically with the inherited carnal nature that conflicts with the Divine nature received at the new birth.
• James 4:8…purify your hearts, ye double minded
• Acts 15:8-9…giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
• 2 Cor 7:1…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
After the Old Man is crucified the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire instantaneously purges the heart from the inherited root of sin. This allows the Holy Spirit to take full possession of mans being and thus eliminates double mindedness. This perfect work of the Holy Spirit and fire is freedom from the conflicting bondage of a carnal nature. This Divine operation of the Holy Spirit is called, “Entire Sanctification”.
• 1 Thess 5:23-24…And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (entire); and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
• James 1:4…that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
• Rom 8:3-4…God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit
Why is perfection taught in the Bible? The purpose of God’s perfection is to fully equip the child of God with everything needed to go to heaven but perfection also helps the child of God to stand against sin, temptation, or the problems of life. The blessing of perfection builds a believer’s assurance in God. How? After the moral make-up is changed man becomes more dependent on God for all his needs. Dependency enables the believer to deal better with many of the outer circumstances of life. The Greek word katartizo deals with another side of perfection which is not just the changed moral make-up of man. In this context, it equips the saints and makes them thoroughly complete to stand strong against outside problems or various circumstances of life. Confidence and total trust in Christ is developed through God’s perfection.
A Christian’s growth has no relation to spiritual maturity or the process of maturing gradually into salvation, but rather deals with growing in the Grace and knowledge of Christ. Maturity was never mentioned in the Bible or the Greek text. Growth relates to faith and knowledge, which can increase throughout the life of a believing Christian. Granted, a Christian can be a babe, a son, a young man, or a father but he is still a Christian. The stages of a Christian life can vary concerning knowledge, but will never vary concerning salvation of the soul. There is no greater or less of a child of God. A child of God is a new creature created in holiness at the new birth. A sinner does not grow gradually into God’s holiness. Forgiveness is received by trusting in the death of Christ alone and man is made perfect by God’s workmanship through an instantaneous work of salvation. Teleios…Greek for perfect means…of full age. Growth is not implied here.
• Heb 13:20-21…Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight,
• Eph 2:10…for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
A believer in Christ cannot gradually be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible proves that filling is an instantaneous work through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. On the Day of Pentecost the baptism in the Upper Room was an instantaneous filling in the hearts of those believers who were already saved. Likewise today this same baptism fills the believer’s heart when one is emptied of self … instantaneously. Nowhere in the Bible does the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire imply a progressive Sanctification.
Sanctification, Baptism, Holiness, and Perfection one in the same, are all Biblical terms used to describe the operation of God’s Grace in the heart and life of a believer. Perfection is a complete work of heart purity performed by God and not the process of spiritual maturity performed by man. Contrary to many teachings perfection will always be the true and holy language of New Testament and should be carried out in the life of the believer. Why? God’s perfection is the only way man can find satisfaction in Christ. Perfection is the only way contentment is provided for the children of God. Only the perfect work of the Spirit God endues men with power from above and makes them effective witnesses for Christ. Biblical perfection is… the fullness of God’s blessing in the life of a believer.
• God, who is perfect, created a perfect church in order to morally change the make-up of unholy man to holy. This Divine act of perfection produces holiness, righteousness, and obedience in the moral character of man. It is imputed to the soul through the Spirit of God. The fruit of Biblical perfection is love for God and love for humanity.
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