Lecture on Entire Sanctification

Introduction

• Fourth lecture in a series on Wesleyan soteriology.
• Previous lectures: Repentance, Justification, New Birth (Initial Sanctification).
• Focus: Stage known as Entire Sanctification.

Terms for Entire Sanctification

• Sanctification
• Full Sanctification
• Holiness
• Christian Perfection
• Perfect Love
• Full Salvation
• Second Blessing
• Second Rest (from a hymn)
• Great Salvation
• Grand Depositum (Grand Doctrine of Methodism)

Biblical References

• Hebrews 6:1 - "Go on toward perfection..."
• Matthew 5:48 - "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Wesley's Understanding

• Key Text: "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection" by John Wesley.
• Wesley and Charles Wesley's teachings on Christian perfection.

Key Features of Entire Sanctification

1. Definition: Love of God and neighbor which implies deliverance from all sin.
2. Received by Faith: Similar to justifying faith.
3. Instantaneous Event: Given in one moment.
4. Expected Anytime: Not only at death.

Hymn Reference

• "Love Divine, All Love's Excelling" by Charles Wesley.
  • A prayer for entire sanctification and Christian perfection.
  • Phrases: "second rest," "great salvation," "perfect restoration."

Wesley's Teachings

• Christian Perfection: Love ruling our tempers, words, actions.
• Not Sinless Perfection: Changed word "sinless" to "spotless."
• Sanctifying Grace: Work of the Holy Spirit enables mortification of sin.

Process of Sanctification

• Gradual and Instantaneous
  • A gradual work precedes and follows the instant of entire sanctification.
• Holy Spirit's Role: Enables putting to death deeds of the body (Romans 8:13).
  • Sanctifying grace is the Holy Spirit's work.

The Means of Sanctification

• Means of Grace
  • General: Keeping commandments, denying oneself, taking up the cross.
  • Instituted: Prayer, scripture, communion, fasting.

Expectations and Faith

• Expect Entire Sanctification Anytime
  • Practice means of grace to prepare for receiving it.
• Sanctifying Faith as Response
  • Faith is necessary just as in justification.

Conclusion

• Summary
  • God's action: Sanctifying grace.
  • Human response: Sanctifying faith.
  • Result: Entire sanctification.
• Christian Perfection defined as perfection in love, not power or knowledge.
• Prayer for Entire Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
• Charts and Summary: Showing stages of grace and response leading to entire sanctification.

Final Thoughts

• Wesley's optimism in grace suggests sin can be vanquished in life through the Holy Spirit.
• Entire sanctification is a reachable state with continual filling by the Holy Spirit.