William Seymour teaches that the believer's journey into holiness begins with justification by faith, followed by sanctification through Christ's blood, culminating in the baptism with the Holy Ghost as a continual fire of God's presence.
This sermon delves into the process of a sinner coming to the Lord, being justified by faith through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and ultimately being sanctified and made holy by the cleansing power of God. It emphasizes the need for repentance, receiving eternal life, and undergoing thorough purging to be filled with the Holy Spirit's fire and glory.
Full Transcript
The Way into the Holiest A sinner comes to the Lord all wrapped up in sin and darkness. He cannot make any consecration because he is dead. The life has to be put into us before we can present our life to the Lord.
He must get justified by faith. There is a lamb without spot and blemish, slain before God for him. And when he repents toward God for his sins, the Lord has mercy on him for Christ's sake.
And puts eternal life in his soul, pardoning him of his sins, washing away his guilty pollution. And he stands before God justified as if he had never sinned. Then there remains that old original sin in him for which he is not responsible till he has the light.
He hears that Jesus, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate, Hebrews 13, 12. And he comes to be sanctified. There is Jesus, the lamb without blemish, on the altar.
Jesus takes that soul that has eternal life in it and presents it to God for thorough purging and cleansing from all original and Adamic sin. And Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses him from all sin and he is made every wit whole, sanctified and holy. Now he is on the altar, ready for the fire of God to fall, which is the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
It is a free gift upon the sanctified, cleansed heart. The fire remains there continually burning in the holiness of God. Why? Because he is sanctified and holy and on the altar continually.
He stays there and the great Shekinah of glory is continually burning and filling with heavenly light. William J. Seymour, Apostolic Faith magazine, No. 2, October 1906.
Sermon Outline
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I. Justification by Faith
- A sinner is dead in sin and needs life from God
- Faith in the spotless Lamb brings pardon and eternal life
- Justification presents the believer as righteous before God
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II. Sanctification through Christ's Blood
- Original sin remains until sanctification
- Jesus purges and cleanses from all sin
- The believer is made holy and wholly sanctified
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III. Baptism with the Holy Ghost
- A free gift upon the sanctified heart
- The fire of God continually burns in holiness
- The believer is continually filled with heavenly light
Key Quotes
“A sinner comes to the Lord all wrapped up in sin and darkness. He cannot make any consecration because he is dead.” — William Seymour
“Jesus takes that soul that has eternal life in it and presents it to God for thorough purging and cleansing from all original and Adamic sin.” — William Seymour
“The fire remains there continually burning in the holiness of God. Why? Because he is sanctified and holy and on the altar continually.” — William Seymour
Application Points
- Accept Jesus as the spotless Lamb to receive justification and eternal life.
- Seek sanctification through Christ to be cleansed from all sin and made holy.
- Open your heart to the baptism with the Holy Ghost to experience God's continual presence and power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be justified by faith?
It means being declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty for sin.
How is sanctification described in this sermon?
Sanctification is the thorough purging and cleansing from all sin by Jesus, making the believer holy and whole.
What is the significance of the baptism with the Holy Ghost?
It is a free gift that ignites a continual fire of God's presence in the sanctified believer's heart.
Why is the believer described as being 'on the altar'?
Being 'on the altar' symbolizes the believer's complete surrender and readiness to receive God's fire and holiness.
Does the sermon address original sin?
Yes, it explains that original sin remains until the believer receives sanctification through Christ.
