Quote: The New Testament does not support sinless perfection.
Okay just so its clear I support Entire Sanctification 1 Thess 5:23
In my studying I do see some error that attached itself to the holiness movement, it seems that error got in from some that practiced mysticism and that is why I come out so strongly against contemplative prayer and dont use the term sinless perfection.
Does the scripture support Entire Sanctification, let me say when God first introduced me to the the second blessing, I could not see it in scripture, but know I see it all through scripture...
Here is a definition of Entire Sanctification
Sanctification, that work of Gods grace by which we are renewed after the image of God, set apart for his service, and enabled to die unto sin and live unto righteousness. Sanctification is either of nature, whereby we are renewed after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:19) or of practice, whereby we die unto sin, have its power destroyed in us, cease from the love and practice of it, hate it as abominable, and live unto righteousness, loving and studying good works.
Quote: And the experience of Christ filled believers does not confirm it.
Here are what some well-known men of God have to say
John Fletcher says: It is the pure love of God and man shed abroad in a faithful believers heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him, to cleanse him, and to keep him clean, from all the filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to enable him to fulfill the law of Christ, according to the talents he is intrusted with, and the circumstances in which he is
Adam Clarke says: What, then, is this complete sanctification? It is the cleansing of the blood, that has not been cleansed; it is washing the soul of a true believer from the remains of sin.
Watsons Theological Institutes: By which can only be meant our complete deliverance from all spiritual pollution, all inward depravation of the heart, as well as that which, expressing itself outwardly by the indulgence of the senses, is called filthiness of the flesh.
Bishop Foster says of the person entirely sanctified, that he is in a state in which he will be entirely free from sin, properly so called, both inward and outward. The process of this work is in this order: beginning with pardon by which one aspect of sin, that is actual guilt, is wholly removed, and proceeding in regeneration, by which another kind of sin, that is depravity, is in part removed, terminating with entire sanctification, by which the remainder of the second kind, or depravity, is entirely removed.
Jesse T. Peck in Central Idea: In the merely justified state we are not entirely pure ... But in the work of entire sanctification, these impurities are all washed away, so that we are wholly saved from sin, from its inward pollution.
Bishop Simpson says: Christian Perfection is a term used by Methodists to denote a state of grace implying purity of heart, or a heart cleansed from all sin ... Sanctification is that act of the Holy Ghost whereby the justified man is made holy.
Rev. Wm. McDonald says: It is the removal from our moral natures, through faith in Christ. All sinful desires and tempers, all pride, anger, envy, unbelief, and love of the world; and the possession in these purified natures of the unmixed graces of faith, humility, resignation (longsuffering), patience, meekness, self-denial, and love.
Quote: Indeed the person who is getting closer to Jesus becomes even more aware of their sinfulness. But then that person is ever driven closer to the cross to be cleansed by Christ.
I agree with you 100% many who claim entire sanctification say that they came to a point of crisis an awareness of there own sinfulness and inability to deal with it, this crisis is the point where a surrender and submission to Christ comes in a new and deeper way and leads to cleansing and sanctification..
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Colin Murray
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