The Second Blessing.

What About This? Is There Such A Thing As A So-Called Second Blessing Taught In The Scriptures?

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3. The reader will notice also that we have put words in parenthesis in the various Bible verses, this is done to help the student have a better understanding of the old King James language which is often a little bewildering to some folks who are not use to that kind of speech. Therefore, please bear with us as we teach the message. A good idea would be to read your King James Bible along with each verse we have quoted. It is also very important for the student to look up all the added Bible texts that we have referred to in the Message. This will give the reader much added information! The reader will also notice that we have repeated several verses here and there in our message and of course we do this to bring out a better understanding of the message. Another thing we should mention is that when we copy a verse from the Bible we will change much of the spelling from the archaic King James language to the modern way of spelling. Such as . . .

4. "searcheth - to 'searches,' . . . thy - to 'your,' standeth - to 'stands,' . . . knoweth- to 'knows,' . . . maketh - to 'makes,' . . . nay -to 'no,' . . . bringeth - to 'bring or brings,' . . . hath - to 'has or have,' . . . saith - to 'says,' . . . unto - to- 'to,' . . . doeth - to 'does,' . . . wherefore - to 'therefore,' . . . thee - t o 'the,' . . . justifieth - to 'justify,' . . . helpeth - to 'help,' . . . liveth - to 'lives,' . . . ever - to 'always,' . . . hitherto - to 'even yet - or thus far,' . . . Behold - 'take notice,' . . . heart - to 'mind or intellect,' . . . whereunto - to 'the fact is or it was to this end that,' . . . elect - to 'chosen,' . . . quickens - t o 'make alive,' . . . Lo- to 'take notice,' . . . sorer- to 'surer,' . . . saving - to 'except,' . . . Woe - to 'grievous orr distress to you,' . . . and etc. None of this will take away from the true meaning of the original text."

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Please observe that we have placed dividing brackets such as those below - just above and below the various "Bible Texts" in our message. Also, whether a lesson is long or short - questions should be expressed for the students in a class to answer at the end of each lesson.

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[ Lesson 1. ] What Does The Bible Have To Say Concerning "Sanctification?"

And Yes, Justification Also! . . .

1. Commentary . . . In commencing our inquiry on the subject of "Sanctification" as taught in the Scriptures, it is of importance first of all that there must be a clear understanding of the meaning that the writer and the reader alike should attach to the word. For if the writer has one thought in his mind when he uses this expression, and lets say that the reader is thinking of something totally different as he pursues the message, it is not to be supposed that a common conclusion will ever be reached.

2. I propose then, first of all, to let the various Theologians and the unlearned teachers define the word for us; and then turn to the Scriptures, there to test their definitions. Examples: In a doctrinal sense "Sanctification," is usually considered as that which is perfectly holy, what was before defiled and sinful. It is a progressive work of Divine grace upon the soul "Justified" by the love of Christ.

3. The Christian is cleansed from the corruption of his old sin nature, and is at length presented faultless before the presence of Christ's glory with exceeding joy! This is a fair statement of the views held by ordinary Protestant Theologians, and is taken from the Bible Dictionary edited by W. W. Rand. The secular dictionary definitions generally agree that "Sanctification" is an act of God's grace, which means affection as "purified and exalted." And this, it will be observed, practically agrees with the definition already given. It must be understood that the word can also be used in many ways, Judas is a good example of this, he was set apart [ "Sanctified" ] along with the other eleven Apostles to follow Jesus in His perfect holy Ministry, but who is it that doesn't comprehend Judas' failure in his "Sanctification?"

4. Many writers are very explicit, and generally draw attention to what they suppose to be the difference between "Justification and Sanctification." I shall not quote any of their authorities as to this, but instead will put the teaching down in their own language rather, as if they were here with me, bringing forth a message concerning the subject. "Justification," then, to these Ministers is supposed to be a work of grace by which sinners are made righteous and freed from their sinful habits when they come to Christ. But, in the merely "Justified" soul, there remains a corrupt principle, an evil tree, or "a root of bitterness," which continually causes one to sin.

5. The eradication of this sinful root is "Sanctification." It is therefore, the cleansing of the nature from all inbred sin by the "blood of Christ [ applied through faith when a full consecration is made" ], and the refining fire of the Holy Spirit, who burns out all waste when all is laid upon the altar of sacrifice. This, and this only, is true "Sanctification," a distinct second work of grace, subsequent to "Justification," and without which that "Justification," is very likely to be lost!

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6. The correctness of the definition will, I think, be acknowledged by even the most radical of the second blessing school. Now let us test these above statements by Scripture. And in order to do so intelligently, I purpose first to look at a number of passages in both Testaments, and see if any of them which concern the definitions given above actually make good sense and sound doctrine. I would observe that "holiness and Sanctification" are equivalent terms; both words being used to translate the Greek or Hebrew noun. The FOLLOWING PROMINENT EXAMPLES" may suffice to show how the term is used in our Bible.

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3. Question . . . "Are we to suppose any change took place in the nature of these vessels? Or was there any evil element rooted out of them?"

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5. Commentary . . . Was any change effected in the composition of the mountain when God gave the Mosaic law upon it? Let the reader answer fairly and honestly, and he might confess that here at last neither the theological nor the "holiness" definitions apply to the word "Sanctify." What it does mean we shall see later, when we have heard all of our witnesses.

Or Any Work Of Grace Taking Place Within Them . . .

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7. Commentary . . . Question . . . were these priests then to change their own natures from evil to good, or to destroy from within themselves the principle of evil? I must state here, that it is the readers right to judge these Scriptures for themselves, and also to be the jury as to the right meaning of the text.

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18. Commentary . . . All of this in the verses above gives us a typical picture of that particular day in history, but also a picture of the future return of Messiah, returning in the morning. The word 'morning' is typical of the word "beginning" of the third Millennial day since Christ's birth. The Old Testament portrays many pictures in types and shadows of things to come afterward in the future. Please remember that many sayings in the Scriptures have double or triple meanings, we have stated this fact several times elsewhere. Remember this also . . . a millennial day consists of a thousand years! Read this entire paragraph again!

20. As many Scriptural texts imply, and as we have just stated, there is more than one meaning to these verses. The truth is, the people were to be "Sanctified" "set apart before the Lord in a cleansed condition." But, in typology we have here a picture of the Second Coming of Christ.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson 3. ] Messiah's Actual Return . . .

1. Commentary . . . We should also remember that centuries later after Moses left the scene, at the time Jesus ascended up into Heaven = two Angels appeared as prophets and prophesied . . .

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8. The deepest impressions are made on the mind through the medium of the senses; and so the Lord Who knew what was in man, signaled His descent at the inauguration of the ancient 'Congregation [ Ekklesia' ] in the wilderness. The great Jehovah appeared in the Holy of Holies in the Temple which was actually a tent: - as a Theophany. This inspired supreme reverence by the Hebrews, the admiration and majestic grandeur of this spectacle no doubt must have been stupendous. In the eyes of the people the august majesty obviously produced the conviction that before them sat the great and terrible God, even though their eyes could not behold Him.

9. The whole multitude must have beforehand anticipated the event with feelings of intense solemnity and awe. The extraordinary preparations enjoined, the ablutions and rigid abstinence they were required to observe, the barriers erected all round the base of the mountain, and the stern penalties annexed to the breach of any of the conditions, all would have tended to create an earnest and solemn expectation, which increased as the appointed day drew near for the rituals of the Law to take place, right in front of the Person of the Lord.

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People Can "Sanctify" Themselves To Do Iniquity . . .

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12. Commentary: How monstrous a "Sanctification" this was, and how can we receive any thought of any inward cleansing here?

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14. Commentary . . . They, and not He, blasphemed; and equally wicked would be the blasphemy of any who said that "Sanctification," for Christ, implied a corrupt nature eradicated, or perverse. He was always "that Holy Thing . . . called the Son of God." There are multitudes of advocates who impiously dare to teach that the taint of sin was in Christ, and needed elimination; but are rightfully refused fellowship, and their teaching is abhorred by all Spirit-taught Christians. Yet He, the Lord Jesus Christ, was "Sanctified by God the Father," as Jude writes of all Christians. Are we to suppose the expression means one thing in relation to Christ, and quite another in regard to Saints?

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The Lord Jesus "Sanctified," Himself . . .

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16. Commentary . . . If either of the definitions given above is to stand, then what are we to make of the fact that Jesus Who had been "Sanctified" by the Father, yet afterward "Sanctified Himself?" Isn't it a plain fact that there is some great discrepancy here between the Theologians, the so-called perfectionists, and the Word of God? Discus these things with your class.

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19. Commentary . . . Here the life-partner of a Christian, though unsaved, is said to be "Sanctified." Is such a one, then, free from inbred sin, or undergoing a gradual change of nature? If this is far too absurd for consideration, then "Sanctification" cannot mean either of the experiences specified. "Absolutely . . . no person will ever enter into the heavenly realm of God unsaved!"

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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1. { V. 1 } Scripture: "Paul, called to be an apostle [ special messenger ] of Jesus Christ [ as the one Apostle for the Gentiles ] through the will of God, and 'Sos'thenes, our brother [ Saint' ].

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14. The above { V. 3 } paraphrased: "For you are still in an un-scriptural state living according to the flesh . . . you are still under the control of ordinary impulses. For as long as there are envying, jealousy, wrangling and factions among you, are you not yet unspiritual and are of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like the mere man that is yet unchanged?"

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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2. Commentary . . . In what sense could men follow a change of nature, or how could they follow the elimination of the carnal mind? I follow that which is before me-that to which I have not fully attained in a practical sense, as the Apostle Paul tells us he did . . .

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6. Commentary . . . All Christians have a new nature, 'a Perfect - Christ like nature'; . . . in the latterr half of the verse Paul says, "If you don't agree, God will give you understanding on the subject.

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11. Commentary . . . How are we to understand an exhortation like this if "Sanctification" implies an inward cleansing, or making holy what was unclean and evil? Is it not manifest that such a definition would lead to the wildest vagaries and the grossest absurdities?

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson - 6 ]. Individuals Addressed As "Sanctified," Are Afterwards Exhorted

To Be Holy . . .

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5. Commentary . . . Strangers, sojourners, exiles, foreign residents. The word is applied to those who settled in a town or region without making it their permanent place of residence. The displaced Hebrew people, whose true citizenship was in Israel, are viewed as temporary residences of the provinces of Asia Minor named in this verse. Remember in A.D. 70 tens of thousands were cast out from the land of Israel. The truth is, the Israelites were and still are sojourners throughout the known world and will be until Messiah's Second Coming. Those Hebrew people living in the United States, Russia or in any other nation other than Israel, are really living in countries not their own. Their homes and inheritance will always be in Israel !!!!!

6. The same can be said of every Christian! Wherever a Child of God lives upon this earth, he is dwelling in a strange abode. Be- cause, he or she has no permanent dwelling place upon this earth. Children of God has only one permanent home and that home is to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. What does all this mean? It means that like the wondering Jew scattered throughout this world, we also are sojourners in this world until the Rapture of the Body of Christ, and then we will be taken home to be with the Lord everlastingly. This my friend is true typology and future history!

7. No wonder the world hates us, we are dwelling away from our own habitation and have encroached upon a land that belongs to the heathen of this world. What is a heathen? We have stated other times in our ministry that there are two Gods, one is the true God of the Universe as a whole, the other is a counterfeit called Satan. When one follows the true God the way the Word of God teaches he becomes a true Child of God the Father. Should he follow the other: "the counterfeit god of this world, he will follow him into everlasting judgment in the "LAKE OF FIRE!"

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12. Commentary . . . God's Children are holy because they are reborn into the Holy Family and each Child possesses a "Holy Godly nature." Think of the inconsistency here if "Sanctification" and holiness refer to an inward work whereby inbred sin is rotted out of one's being! The "Sanctified" are exhorted to be holy, in place of being informed that already they have been made absolutely that, and therefore, need no such exhortation. How would you explain this subject?

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson - 7 ]. The "Sanctified" Saints Only - Are Nevertheless Declared

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3. After carefully hearing all the above witnesses, I ask my readers, can you possibly gather from these varied uses of the word "Sanctification" any hint of a change of nature in the Child of God, or an elimination of evil implied therein? I feel certain that every candid mind must confess the word evidently has a very different meaning, and I design briefly to point out what meaning it is. The marked verb, to "Sanctify" as we have already brought out, means to "set apart," and the noun "Sanctification" means literally "separation." This simple key will unlock every verse we have been considering, and bring all into harmony where discord seemed complete. The vessels of the Tabernacle were separated for Divine service, even as Mount Sinai was set apart to Jehovah for the giving of the Mosaic law.

4. The priest in Israel separated themselves from their defilement. Moses separated the people from uncleanness, and set apart the first-born as dedicated to Jehovah. The Apostates in Israel's day set themselves apart, on the contrary, to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord. God the Father set Christ the Son apart to become the Saviour of the lost; and at the end of His life on earth, His work accomplished, the Lord Jesus separated Himself and ascended to glory, there to become the object of 'His people's hearts [ minds, their very being' ], that they might thus be set apart from the world that had refused and crucified their Redeemer.

5. The unbelieving wife or husband, if linked with a saved life-partner is set apart to God, and is thereby put in an external relation to God, with its privileges and responsibility; and the children are likewise separated from those who never come under the sound of the truth. All Christians, whatever their actual state, whether they are carnal or spiritual, are nevertheless separated to God in Christ Jesus; and from this springs the responsibility to live for Him. This separation is to be followed daily, the Christian seeking to become more conformed to Christ .

6. Persons professing to be Christians and not following "Sanctification," will not see the Lord; for they are unreal, and have no Divine life. The Lord God must be set apart in our hearts if our testimony is to count for His glory. One may be set apart to God in Christ, and yet need exhortation to a practical separation from all uncleanness and worldliness. And, lastly, all Saints who are set apart as the Father's Children are in God's sight perfected forever, as to the conscience, by the one sacrifice of Christ on the Cross; for they are accepted in God, and are eternally linked up with Him. Get the key, and every difficulty vanishes. "Sanctification," in the Christian sense, is therefore, twofold-absolute and progressive.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson - 8 ]. "Sanctification" By The Holy Spirit Is Eternal . . .

1. Commentary . . . We have already stated that "Sanctification" is both absolute and progressive. Absolute "Sanctification" is by the one offering of Christ on the Cross, and will be spoken of further on. Progressive "Sanctification" is looked at in two ways: it is by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God. It may help some to put it in this way: "Sanctification" by the Spirit is eternal. It is an experience within the Child of God. Christian "Sanctification" is by the "Blood of Christ" and is eternal.

2. It is positional; it has to do with the new place in God's eternal favor occupied by every Christian an unchanging and unchangeable position, to which defilement can never be attached, in God's estimation. When applied to the Saint, "Sanctification" by the Word of God refers to the Christians outward walk and ways. It is the manifest result of "Sanctification" by the Spirit, and proceeds on progressively all through life. We will group together four Scriptures which refer to the first important aspect above mentioned. Doctrinally, perhaps, I should take up "Sanctification" by the blood first; but experimentally the Holy Spirit's work proceeds the knowledge of the other. And now we read of a host of sinful characters who shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The next verse, immediately adds . . .

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100' ], ought and 'are obligated [ as those who are in debt' ] to give thanks always to God for you, because God chose you 'from the beginning [ to be the first converts' ] for salvation through the "Sanctifying" work of the Holy Spirit and [ your ] belief in . . . adherence to, trust in and reliance on . . . the truth."

14. Commentary . . . Through "Sanctification" of the Spirit and belief of the truth" in above verse, refers to God's activity [ the Holy Spirit's work of regeneration ] and man's responsibility [ and faith ] are equally necessary to gain salvation.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson - 9. ] What Is the Real Truth Of The Above? . . .

1. Commentary . . . In all these passages it is of the utmost importance, in order to understand the truth, to observe that "Sanctification" by the Holy Spirit is treated as the first beginning of God's work in the souls of men. All this also leads to the full knowledge of "Justification" through faith in the blood sprinkling of Jesus Christ.

3. Old affections and desires had been superseded by new and holy longings. The wicked life had been exchanged for one in which the pursuit after godliness was characteristic. What was it that brought about this change? Three expressions are used to convey the fulness of it. They had been "Washed, Sanctified, and Justified" . . . and all "in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God." Objective and subjective are here closely linked together. The work and character of the Lord Jesus had been presented as set forth in the gospel. He alone was the Saviour of lost sinners. But in the application of that salvation to men there is necessarily the subjective side.

5. But now, observe carefully . . . the same Word of God comes to all men, but the same effect is not produced in all. Christ and His Cross is preached to an audience of a hundred unconverted men. One remains, broken-hearted over his sins and seeking peace with God, while ninety and nine go away untouched. Why the difference? The Holy Spirit gives power to the Word, plowing up the conscience in case of every one truly converted, and such a one is separated, set apart by a Divine work within, from the indifferent multitude to which he once belonged.

9. The Holy Spirit quickens through the message proclaimed. He awakens men, and gives them a desire to know Christ and to be delivered from sin's power and saved from its judgment. After this brooding season, or as a result of it, the 'heart [ mind, intellect' ] is opened to the gospel in its fulness; and, being believed, the 'light [ spiritual knowledge' ] shines in and the darkness of unbelief and ignorance on the part of man is dissipated.

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12. Through "Sanctification" of the Holy Spirit and belief of the truth shows forth the 'Lord's activity [ the Holy Spirit's work of regeneration' ] and man's responsibility [ faith ] are equally necessary in salvation. Here the Word of life is scattering the darkness and bringing in the light of the knowledge of salvation through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

13. It is the same in { 1- Peter }. The saved are the elect and called out by our heavenly Father, but it is the "Sanctification" of the Holy Spirit that brings them unto the obedience and blood sprinkling of Jesus Christ. Now the knowledge of "Justification" is mine when brought by the Spirit to the knowledge of the sprinkled blood of Jesus. It is faith which brings the understanding that Christ's precious blood 'cleanses my soul [ my very life' ] from every stain, therefore, giving peace. By the Spirit I am brought to this, and to begin a life of obedience- to obey as Christ Himself obeyed after being set apart. The whole Trinitarian God is in view here!

14. This is the practical effect of the Spirit's "Sanctification." It is of importance to realize that "Justification" is not in itself a state. It is not a work in the soul, but a work done by another for me, yet altogether outside of me, and utterly apart from my feelings. In other words, it is my standing, not my experience. The difference between the two may be illustrated as follows: Two men are hauled into court charged with the joint commission of a crime. After a full investigation, the judge on the bench "Justifies" them both, they are set free. One man, hearing the decision, is filled with delight. He had feared an opposite verdict, and dreaded the consequences.

15. The other man was even more envious and gloomy. So occupied is he with troubled thoughts that he does not fully catch the declaration of the court, "not guilty." He hears only the last word, and is filled with dismay. He sees a loathsome prison rising before him, yet he knows he is innocent. He gives utterance to words of despair until with difficulty made to comprehend the true status of the case, when he too is filled with joy.

16. Now what had the actuarial "Justification" of either man to do with his state, or experience? The one who heard and believed was happy. The one who misunderstood the decision was miserable; yet both were alike "Justified." "Justification" was not a work brought forth in them. It was the judge's sentence in their favor. This is always what "Justification" is, whether used in the Bible or in matters of every-day life. God "Justifies," or clears, the ungodly when they believe in the Lord Jesus Who bore their condemnation on the Cross.

17. To confound this judicial act with the state of the soul of the Child of God is only confusion. "But," one person states, "I do not feel Justified!" "Justification" has nothing to do with feeling! The question is, "do you believe God is satisfied with His only beloved Son as your substitute upon the Cross," and do you receive Jesus as your personal Saviour? If so, God states that you are "Justified;" and thus, it is finished. He isn't going to change His mind.

18. Believing the Gospel declaration, the Christian Believer has peace with God! When one walks with God, there is joy, gladness, and victory over sin in a practical sense. But, this is a state, not standing. The Holy Spirit Who 'quickens [ makes alive' ], and "Sanctifies" the born again Saint at the time of Salvation. This leads to the knowledge of "Justification" through faith in what God has said about the blood-sprinkling of Jesus Christ. This "Justification and Sanctification" will abide eternally in every Saint, to be the power for the new changed life, and therefore, for the practical setting apart of the Child of God in his future.

19. In this way the offering-up of the Gentiles, poor aliens, heathen of all descriptions, strangers to the covenants of promise- and are then made acceptable to God, being "Sanctified" by the Holy Spirit. After being called they attend the meeting place of worship looking forward to the preaching and the teaching, the ministry of reconciliation, opening the 'heart [ mind' ] to the truth, being convinced of sin, of righteousness and judgment, which leads them to personal faith in the God the Son.

20. I think that it must be plain now to any who has carefully followed our teaching thus far that in this aspect at least "Sanctification" is wrongly designated as a "second blessing." It is, on the contrary, the beginning of the work of the Spirit in 'the soul [ the life' ] of God the Father's new born Child. It also proceeds throughout the Christian's life, reaching its consummation at the coming of the Lord, when the saved one, in His glorified, sinless body, will be presented faultless in the presence of God.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson - 10. ] Is there A Second Blessing What Could It Be? . . .

1. The question may be asked of this writer, "Do you believe in the so-called second blessing?" Of course I do, but not in the way it is taught in some denominations! I believe in a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and onward to a continued host of blessings, for Children of God who are continually blessed by the Lord. I personally, certainly do NOT believe that a Christian can lose his salvation and then be re-saved a second time, this completely contradicts the Scriptures! Once we are reborn into the Family of God, we remain a part of that Heavenly family throughout all eternity! This is God's true Scriptural fact and promise!

2. Thus, Peter, after telling the Christians to whom he writes that they are "Sanctified" by the Spirit, he very properly proceeds to exhort them to be holy because "He the Lord Who has saved them is holy," and they are set to represent Him in this world. So to Paul, after affirming the "Sanctification" of the Thessalonians, yet prays that they may be "Sanctified" wholly, which would be an absurdity if this were accomplished when first "Sanctified" by the Spirit. As we said above, "Sanctification" of the Christian goes forward as long as he lives.

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10. Commentary . . . When asked for Scripture as to the term "the second blessing," the perfectionist will generally refer you to the verse below. There Paul writes to the Corinthians who, as declared several times over in his first epistle, were "Sanctified," and says . . .

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12. Commentary . . . The margin reads, "a second blessing." It must be noted that the Greek word in this verse for "BENEFIT" also is interpreted: A Second FAVOR. Nevertheless, from this simple expression, an amazing system of pure guesswork has been brought forth. It is taught in this system, that as a result of Paul's first visit to Corinth, many had been "Justified." But as the carnal mind remained in them, they manifested it in various ways, for which he rebukes them in his first letter. Now he longs to get to them again, this time not so much to preach the Gospel but as to have some religious meetings, and get them "Sanctified!"

14. What then was the second blessing Paul desired for them? To begin with, it was not the second blessing. They had been blessed by his ministry among them on the first occasion, as they learned from his lips and saw manifested in his ways the truth of God. Like any true -hearted under shepherd, he longs to visit them again, once more to minister among them, that they may receive blessing, or favor, a second time. What could be simpler, if the mind were not confused by faulty teaching, leading to one's reading his thoughts into Scripture, instead of learning from it?

15. From the moment of their conversion, Christians are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ," and the Spirit is given to lead us into the good that is already ours. "All things are yours" and in this instance God's Word was written down by Paul, not to persons perfect in their ways, but to the very Corinthians whom we have been considering, and that before they received, through the Apostle Paul, a second benefit or favor.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson 11. ] "Sanctification" By the Blood Of Christ Is Eternal . . .

1. Commentary . . . The great theme of the Epistle of the Hebrews is that aspect of "Sanctification" which has been designated positional, or absolute. Not just a work brought into the 'soul [ one's life' ] by the Holy Spirit, but the glorious result of that wondrous work accomplished by the Son of God when He offered up Himself to put away sin upon the Cross of Calvary. By virtue of that sacrifice the Child of God is forever set apart to God. The Saint's conscience is purged, and he himself transformed from an unclean lost sinner to a holy worshiper, linked up in an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ; for . . .

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6. Commentary . . . Without Christ's "sanctification" there was no other way for us to be cleansed from our sins and be set apart to God. The main argument of the epistle is very fully developed in chapters 8 to 10, inclusively. There the two covenants are contrasted. The old covenant asked of men what it never received, that is, perfect obedience; because it was not in man to give it. The "new covenant - [ That is, the New Testament promises for the Body of Christ ]" guarantees all blessing through the work of another; and from the knowledge of this springs the desire to obey on the part of the object of such grace.

7. In the old Law Dispensation there was a Sanctuary of an earthly order; and connected with it were ordinances of a carnal character, which nevertheless foreshadowed good things to come. Today we are not under Biblical ordinances, nor are we under any part of the old Mosaic law system. On the other hand, those ordinances of old before the beginning of the Body of Christ, were applied to Israel exclusively. In the future, during the Millennial reign of Christ, Israel, a new nation out of the old nation of the past, will receive the very blessings that were promised them during that past age. Thus, they will be privileged to enter into that one thousand year kingdom reign with their Messiah Jesus Christ, Who was called Jehovah during the Old Testament period.

8. The question is asked: 'When is this Millennial Reign of Messiah going to begin, after all, the new 6th millennium did begin at the year 2000 A.D., why hasn't Messiah returned? We must remember that when Christ was born, it was some 30 odd years later that He died and fulfilled the old Testament law. That part of history was a transitional period, in other words, a period of change from Law to the Kingdom Gospel on to another transitional change to the present Grace period. The same thing accordingly in typology is obviously taking place at the present time.

9. We are living in a transition period waiting until the appearing of our Head, Jesus Christ, to Rapture us from this carnal world, and then, this particular Dispensation will immediately end. After the end of this Dispensation, the Dispensation of the 7 Year Tribulation will run its course. And then, the Millennial reign of Messiah! This is why our blessed hope is so relevant at this time, we are certainly waiting expectantly for our Blessed Hope to culminate. Naturally, we do not know the precise time of Christ's appearance all we can say is . . . KEEP LOOKING UP AND BE READY FOR THAT HOUR!!!!! To continue . . .

10. In the Old Testament Tabernacle, God had shut Himself away from sinful men, and He dwelt in the holiest of all. Man was shut out. 0nly once a year a representative, the high priest, went into the Holy of Holies to confront the Lord, "but not without blood." Every great day of atonement, the same ritual service was performed; but all sacrifices offered under the law could not put away one's sin, or "make him that offered the sacrifice perfect in Jehovah's sight, nor could it change the person's conscience." Let me say, that for a Hebrew to become perfect in the Lord, was not to receive perfection of character or experience, but only perfection as to the conscience.

11. The thousand dollar question is . . . how can a polluted sinner with a defiled conscience, receive a conscience that no longer accuses him, but now permits him in an unhindered way to approach the Lord? The blood of bulls and of goats cannot and could not effect this. { See Hebrews 10:4 }. Legal works cannot receive anything precious. The proof of it is well known in the history of the Hebrew regime, for the continual sacrifices proved that no sacrifice had ever been offered that was sufficient to purge the conscience. . . .

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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1. Commentary . . . In this above lesson the author emphasizes the finality of Christ's sacrifice by contrasting it with the lack of finality of the O.T. system of Law and sacrifices. Christ's redemption needs no repetition and no supplementation. Therefore, a rejection of His sacrifice is final and UN-FORGIVABLE.

3. Observe, then, that our "Sanctification" and His one offering stand or fall together. We believe the record, and God declares "We are Sanctified." There is no growth, no progress, and certainly no second blessing, in this. It is a great fact, true of all Christians. And, this "Sanctification" is eternal in character, because our Lord's work is done perfectly, and is never to be repeated, as it is stated . . .

4. The reader will notice that here in Hebrews much of the above text refers back to the Old Testament system portrayed in the various offerings and etc. And, one feature of the New Covenant which is to be emphasized is Christ's once-for-all offering. In the past, and now it becomes the focal point of the discussion. In these Ten verses the truth of Christ's one-time sacrifice is emphasized by means of relief . . . a distinct contrast with the Mosaic system. The Mosaic system is first described as a shadow and not the very image.

6. The repetitious nature of the Mosaic system serves as another means for highlighting the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Those sacrifices had to be offered year by year continually. They served as a reminder that sin needed a continued cleansing. If the Levitical system had cleansed the Old Testament people, then, according to verse 2, they would have had no more conscience of sins and would have ceased to sacrifice. This must not be misconstrued to suggest that once one has been born again he will have no more remembrance or consciousness of sin in his life.

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12. Commentary . . . Could words be plainer or language more expressive? Only doubters show themselves to either be unwilling or afraid to accept this truth! That one true sacrifice effectually purges the conscience once for all, so that the intelligent Child of God can now rejoice in the assurance that he is forever cleansed from his guilt and defilement by the blood-shedding of Jesus Christ.

13. This, and this only proves that the "Sanctified" Saints are perfected forever, as regards the conscience. A simple illustration may help any who still have difficulty as to this expression, "a purged conscience." A man is in debt to another who has again and again demanded payment. Being unable to pay, and that because he has unwisely wasted his substance, and this being known to his creditor, he becomes unhappy when in the creditor's presence. A desire to avoid him springs up and takes control of him. His conscience is uneasy and defiled.

14. The person who is well aware that he owes the debt, yet is unable to pay because he has no funds. A friend then appears, who in the debtor's behalf, settles the debt, and hands to the troubled man a receipt paid in full for everything. After this he is no longer afraid to meet the other, why not? Because his conscience no longer bothers him. This gives us a picture of what Christ did on the Cross when He met all the Father's claims against us when He paid for all our sins. Therefore, we who are Saints of God, are forever purged by the blood of Christ and are "perfected forever" in the Lord's sight. We who are truly God's born again Children have been "Sanctified" [ set apart in this universe ] by the blood of Jesus, and that for eternity.

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16. The above verse paraphrased . . . "To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness and misunderstanding to the light of full comprehension, and receive complete release from the power of Satan to God, so that they may therefore, receive eternal forgiveness and release from their sins, and receive a place and portion of inheritance among those who are consecrated, purified and "Sanctified" because of their wholehearted faith in Me,"

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17. Commentary . . . Having been turned from the power of Satan back to God, he has the Scriptural evidence that his sins were forgiven on the Lord's Cross, and is assured of an inheritance among them that are "Sanctified" by faith that is in Christ Jesus. But there is an expression used further on in the chapter that may still perplex and bewilder those who have not understood that profession is one thing, and possession another. In order to be clear as to this, it will be necessary to examine the whole passage, which I therefore quote in full, for a better understanding of the text.

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27. During the old law, all the people of Israel and all who were associated with them were set apart to God both on the night of the Passover and afterwards in the wilderness. But this did not necessarily imply a work of the Spirit in their 'souls [ lives' ]. Many were doubtless in the blood- sprinkled houses that solemn night, when the destroying Angel passed through to destroy the unsheltered first-born who had no real faith in God. Yet they were by the blood of the Lamb put in a place of blessing, a position where they shared in many hallowed privileges.

28. So afterward those who were under the cloud and had passed through the sea, had been "baptized [ cleansed" ] unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. [ See our message concerning the 12 Baptisms. ] All were in the same position. All shared the same outward blessings. The wilderness was the place of testing for forty years, and soon proved who were real and who were not. The number "40" is the number for testing. Saul the first King of Israel ruled for 40 years but failed the test.

29. David the second King of Israel ruled for 40 years and passed the test. Solomon Reigned 40 years and failed the test. What about the 40 years from 1967 when Israel took over the Temple area until 2007? Only time will tell the tail, or perhaps the starting point may not have been in 1967, who knows? At the present time God has special people who have been redeemed to Himself out of all kindreds and tongues and peoples and nations, by the precious blood of the Lamb of God. All who ally themselves by profession with that company are outwardly among the blood-sheltered: in this sense they are "Sanctified" by the blood of the New Testament promises. The blood of Christ stands for Christianity, which in its very essence is the proclamation of salvation through Christ's atoning death.

30. To take the Christian place therefore is like entering the blood- sprinkled house. All who are real, who have judged themselves before God, and truly confided in His grace, will remain in that house. If any go out, it proves their unreality, and such can find no other sacrifice for sins; for all the typical offerings are done away in Christ. These are they of whom the Apostle John speaks so solemnly when he is really referring to them as anti- Christian:

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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6. These unreal ones were position-ally: "Sanctified;" but as they were always without faith, they "went out," and thus did despite [ "despite," 'i.e., they were contemptible and lived in defiance, bold opposition and antagonism' ] to the Spirit of grace, and counted the blood of the covenant, "wherewith [ which" ] they were "Sanctified," an unholy thing. These sinned willfully, utterly renouncing, or apostatizing from Christianity, after having become conversant with the glorious message it brings to lost men. To the true believing Saint, the soul is really resting on Christ's, Positional "Sanctification" and becomes eternal: because the "Sanctified" and the Sanctifier are, as we have seen, linked up together by an inseparable bond.

7. Christ Himself is made unto them wisdom, and this in a threefold way: He is their righteousness, their "Sanctification," and their redemption. This shows that a person can be set apart positionally through their profession of Christ but this isn't enough, profession is one thing, possessing Christ is another! It is rather easy for some folks to be drawn away from accepting Christ by false doctrine, this it seems to have been a common trend in the past, and will continue in our future. The above verses have a two-fold application, one that was taking place in John's day, and the other throughout the whole present age of grace right on into the Great Tribulation Period after the Rapture has taken place.

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11. Commentary . . . Having the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you is holiness! Here is a perfect righteousness! Here is acceptance with God. "You are complete in Christ," and therefore, through a daily filling of the Spirit of God, this should cause one to humble himself because of his past failures, and make amends to his God with a changed life style. It is not my practical "Sanctification" that gives me title to a place among the Saints in knowledge. It is the glorious fact that Christ has died and redeemed me to God the Father. His blood has cleansed me from all sin; and I now have life in Him, a new life, which guilt can never be connected.

12. I am in Him, that is true, He is my "Sanctification," and represents me before the Father. Even as of old the high priest bore upon his miter the words "Holiness unto the Lord," and upon his shoulders and upon his heart the names of all the tribes of Israel. He represented them all in the holy of Holies. He was typically their "Sanctification." If he was accepted by the Triune God, so were they. The people were seen in the priest. That there should be a life of corresponding devotedness and separation to God on our part, no Spirit - taught true Child of God will for a moment deny, as we will now consider in the next lesson.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson 14. ] "Sanctification" By The Word Of God: External Results . . .

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8. This precious passage may well introduce for us the subject of practical "Sanctification," which is the right order for Christians concerning our external ways, and also to bring all into accord with the revealed will of God. The truth is, that, we shall do well if we get it fixed in our mind that this is very closely related to that "Sanctification" of the Spirit to which our attention has already been directed. The Spirit works within us. The word, which is without us, is nevertheless the medium used to do the work within.

9. But first let me say that I have purposely dwelt separately upon the two aspects in order to make it more clear to the students' understanding between the Spirits "Sanctification" in us, which is the very beginning of God's work in 'our souls [ lives' ]. And, secondly, the application of the word thereafter to one's future endeavors. The new birth is our introduction into God's family; but although born again, we may be blind and in the dark as to many things, and need the light of comprehension of the Word of God to clear our bewildered minds.

10. Through the "Sanctification" of the Holy Spirit we are brought to the Cross of Christ: we believe that the Lord's atoning death alone was enough to pay for our sins. We are "Sanctified" by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are able to appreciate our new position before God. It is now, that in its true sense, the walk of faith begins, and thereafter is needed daily. This proves: that "Sanctification" is complete, as is explained by the Scriptures.

11. It is evident that in the very nature of things this cannot be what some have ignorantly called "a second definite work of grace." It is, on the contrary, a life: a progressive work and is always proceeding onward. This must continually go on, until we have passed out of the scene in which we need daily instruction as to our ways, which the Word of God alone can give If "Sanctification" in its practical sense is by God's Word, we shall never be wholly "Sanctified," in this aspect of it, until we know that Word perfectly. And, that will never be true here on earth.

12. Here we will always need to feed upon that Word, to understand it better, to learn more fully its meaning. As we learn from it - "the mind of God," we will be called daily to judge in ourselves all that is contrary to the increased understanding we receive. Then we must yield to a fuller obedience than that of the past. By performing in this way, we will be "Sanctified" by the truth. For this very purpose the Lord has "Sanctified" or set Himself apart.

13. Jesus has ascended up to Heaven, there to watch over all those who have been adopted into the family of the Godhead. We are Jesus' own family. Christ, is in Heaven as our High Priest, with God the Father in view of our weakness. And Jesus is our advocate between Satan and the Father to protect us from the corrupt arguments and railings against us brought forth by the devil. Jesus is there also as the object of 'our hearts [ our minds, our very being' ]. We are called to run our race with patience, looking unto Jesus, while the Holy Spirit dwells within us and with Christ's Holy Scripture in our hands. This will continually be a light to show us the way to a better Christian life.

14. As we value God's Word, and allow it to control us by its precious truth made understandable to us by the Holy Spirit's power, this will prove that we are approved of God and have received our eternal "Sanctification." We have received it from God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For Jesus made the request in the { 17th Ch. of John }, He said to the Father: "Sanctify them through Your truth." And then we read . . .

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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7. Commentary . . . We have part in Him because of His atoning work and as a result of the life He gives. Part with Him, or daily communion, is only ours as "Sanctification" by the water of the Word. That the whole scene was allegorical is evidently His Words to Peter:

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9. Commentary . . . Literal feet washing Peter knew and understood. Spiritual feet washing he learned when restored by the Lord after his lamentable fall. Then he entered into the meaning of the words that we once again express . . .

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14. Commentary . . . Personal salvation can never be achieved by any type of so-called good-works, but through the cleansing of the new birth. Renewing of the Holy Spirit means either the initial act of conversion or, continual renewing by the Spirit throughout the life of the Christian, as we have before stated. In any case, salvation is God's gracious work, not a reward for man's worth- while acts.

16. We have mentioned this many times in many messages: "the word backslide does not mean to lose ones salvation! It merely means to fall out of fellowship with the Lord for a certain period of time." We have been "Regenerated once," and never shall be a second time. Every time we fail, we need to judge ourselves by the Word of God, and repent of those past sins that we may be cleansed as to our lives. Where we daily give the word "Regeneration" its rightful place in our lives, we shall be kept from defilement and enabled to enjoy unclouded communion with our Lord and Saviour.

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19. Who can deny my title to perfect holiness if "Sanctification" means that, and it is God's will for me? Surely none. But, already we have seen that "Sanctification" never means that, and in the present text least of all. Read the entire first eight verses, forming a complete paragraph in the next lesson, and see for yourself. The subject is personal purity. The "Sanctification" spoken of is keeping the body from unclean practices, and the mind from lasciviousness. Grossest immorality was connected with and even formed part of idolatrous worship.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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7. { V. 7 }: For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness, [ also this can mean "Sanctification, in the Greek." ]

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21. The Greek mythology had deified the passions of fallen man; and these Thessalonian Christians had but just "turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God." Hence the special need of this exhortation to Saints newly converted, and who were living among those who shamelessly practiced all those things. But, think of calling for this upon men freed from imbrued sin! And, the Saints, whose bodies are God's temple are to be characterized by a clean life, not by a life polluted by fleshly lusts.

24. It is a matter of most solemn importance that, whereas here and elsewhere in Scripture those who would walk with God are called to separate themselves from unholy associations and the fellowship of the mixed multitudes. Even though an organization is found to call itself a Church, yet there are in many cases, large numbers associated with it, who will testify to "living without sin." Yet these people may be united to some 'Assembly organization [ such as a certain club or lodge' ] and often take part in other forms of fellowship with unbelievers and professing Christians who are unholy in walk and unsound as to the faith. For the sake of such it will be well to examine the passage in detail.

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27. The above verse paraphrased: "But wicked men and seducers [ through enticement ] will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray many people including themselves."

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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2. Right now, we are depicting the full character of that which is rapidly encroaching upon the Body of Christ at this very time, which began in the first century and will be going full blast during the Tribulation Period. Timothy is given a word for his encouragement, and instructed as to his own path when things reach a state where it is impossible to any longer purge out the evil from the visible Christian Body of Saints.

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13. Commentary . . . The word "REDEMPTION" in the above verse refers to being: "Bought from slavery and set free to never be in enslavement again." Christians were ransomed, redeemed from the power of sin! This "SEAL" of ownership spoken of above is perfected in every Saint at the very second of their conversion. How could it be otherwise when God the Holy Spirit places Himself in the fleshly "Temple [ body" ] of the new born again Saint?

15. As to those of the Body of Christ: since the Christians mind is the heart of the body, and since the mind is in the brain which is located in the frontal lobe of the skull, doesn't it make sense that the Holy Spirit dwells in the brain of all Saints? Therefore, He has "SEALED" us with Himself until the day of redemption, when we will be removed from the earth in the Rapture!

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19. What about the Christians faith in this age of grace? We have plenty of encouragement from the Lord to have faith, and of course here too is the responsibility of faithfulness. Faith says: "Let the evil rise as high as it may. Let lawlessness abound, and the love of many was cold. Let all that seemed to be of God in the earth be swallowed up in the apostasy. Nevertheless, God's firm foundation stands, for He builds upon a solid rock." Christ declared . . .

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22. We are aware that we are shying away from the "Sanctification" part of our message, but we believe we should add a few texts concerning the Body of Christ and its beginning through the Apostle Paul:

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson 18. ] The Gospel Of The Mystery Is Not Understood During This Grace Age:

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14. Today there are many carnal Christians dwelling among us but they are living as apostates. What about myself as a minister during this Christian age? This brings about a great responsibility. I am not to be living in an evil place and associate continually with those apostates who as apostates practice evil deeds. Lot did this in the O.T. Lot evidently protested the evil going on around him, but having fellowship in it still, even though it was only in a reserved, half hearted way. I myself along with others are called to separate ourselves from evil. In doing so we may seem to be separating ourselves from the Lord's other Children and servants of Christ. But, this is necessary if they do not judge their own apostate, backsliding condition and turn back to their Redeemer.

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16. Commentary . . . The "great house" is Christendom in its present condition, where good and evil, saved and lost, holy and unholy, and are all mixed up together. Paul wrote Timothy and explained what Christ stated concerning Himself, Jesus said . . .

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18. Commentary concerning the above text . . . This is what the entire Body of Christ should always have been, but the trouble was that many in the Body became carnal Christians and soon drifted away from such a wonderful ideal and truth. Therefore, a large part of the Body of Christ became like a great man's house in which are found all kinds of vessels, composed of very different materials, and for very different uses. There are golden and silver vessels for use in the dining-room; and there are vessels of wood and earth, used in the kitchen and other parts of the house. The vessels were often allowed to become exceedingly filthy, and at least to be kept at a distance from that which is valuable, and easily scratched or polluted, and dishes which are perhaps kept hidden away.

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21. Commentary . . . These = are those whom Christians should separate themselves from. The vessels are seen to be persons, and just as a valuable plate might stand uncleannsed and dirty with a lot of other kitchen utensils waiting to be washed, and then carefully "separated" from the vessels used for baser things. So Timothy and every other Christian is called upon to separate one's self, to "purge [ cleans ] out himself" from the mixed conditions, that he may be in very deed "a vessel unto honor." He, as a Child of the Father, is "Sanctified," and is to be "meet [ useful" ] for the Masters use, prepared unto a good work.

22. Unquestionably this "Sanctification" is very different from the Spirit's work in the 'soul [ life' ] at the beginning, or the effect of the work of Christ on the Cross, by which we are set apart to God eternally. It is a practical thing, relating to the question of our associations as Christians. Let me follow out the illustration a step further, and I think all will be plain. The master of the great house brings home a friend. He wishes to serve him with a refreshing drink. He goes to the cabinet looking for a silver drinking vessel, but there is none to be seen, a servant is called, and inquiry is made.

23. Ah, the glasses are down in the kitchen waiting to be washed and separated from the rest of the vessels. He is indignantly dispatched to procure one, and soon returns with a vessel purged out from the unclean collection below; and thus, separated and cleansed 'it is meet [ in this, meaning dedicated and serviceable' ]: for the use of the Master. And so it is with the man of God who has thus 'purged [ cleansed' ] himself out from what is opposed to the truth and the holiness of God. He is "Sanctified," or "Separated," and in this way becomes "perfected for the Master's use."

24. Of course it is not enough to stop with separation. To do so would make one a Pharisee of the most disgusting type; as has often been the case. But, those who have separated themselves from evil are now commanded to . . .

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27. Commentary . . . There is a great need for a daily study of the Word of God, if one is sincere the Spirit will give much light to the students understanding! One should study with a humble mind and attitude, but if folks are not saved, they have no Holy Spirit indwelling them to give them a spiritual comprehension of what they study. The Christians humble attitude will show forth the love he has for God his Creator, and likewise he will win Heavenly blessings for himself. And this, as we have seen, symbolizes the true feet- washing. Through and by the Word of God we are made clean when we are saved because we receive the new birth by humbly believing and accepting what has been written in the Scriptures.

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30. The above verse 2 Paraphrased . . . "Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit . . . that stops bearing . . . He 'cuts away [ trims off, takes away' ]. And, He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it to bear more and richer excellent fruit."

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34. . . . The above verse 4 Paraphrased . . . "Dwell in Me and I will dwell in you. . . . Live in Me and I will live in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without 'abiding in [ i.e., vitally united to' ] the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me."

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37. The Word of God is likened to water because of its purifying and refreshing effect upon the one who submits to it. In it I find instruction as to every detail of the walk of faith. It shows me how I am called to behave in God's family, and in the world. If I obey it the defilement is washed out of my life; even as the application of water cleanses my body from material pollution. Never shall I attain so exalted a state or experience upon earth, that I can honestly say: "Now I am wholly Sanctified;" I no longer need the Word of God to cleans me. As long as I am in this scene, in this physical body, I am called to . . .

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39. Commentary . . . When this one passage, is correctly understood, it destroys the entire roots of the perfectionist theory; yet there isn't any text that is more frequently quoted, or rather misquoted, by those who teach the second blessing theory! Observe carefully what this commandment states: we are to follow two things: peace with all men, and holiness. The one who doesn't obey this commandment will never see the Lord. But how many are there that fail to follow what is stated in the above verse? Who has attained to peace with all men?

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson 19. ] How Many Have To Cry With The Psalmist . . .

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11. Commentary . . . This will be the glad consummation for all who here on earth, as strangers and pilgrims, follow peace and holiness, and thus manifest the Divine nature and the fruits of the Spirit. So long as they remain in the wilderness of this world they will need daily recourse to the laver of water: "The cleansing Word of God" . . . which of old stood midway between the altar and the holy place. When all are gathered home in Heaven the 'water [ Word '] will no longer be needed to free from defilement.

12. In that scene of holiness therefore, there is no laver: but before the throne, John saw a sea of glass, clear as crystal. Upon this glass the redeemed were standing, their trials and warfare were over. So throughout eternity we shall rest upon the Word of God as a crystal sea. Our "Sanctification," is fully perfected. We shall be presented faultless in the presence of the Lord's glory with exceeding joy.

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"Questions and answers should be brought forth to students at the end of each lesson!"

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[ Lesson 20. ] Relative "Sanctification . . .

2. It is also positively certain, there are no works of any sort contemplated as having taken place in the 'soul [ life' ] of the "Sanctified as far as salvation is concerned." Having carefully considered the absolute and practical aspects of "Sanctification," without which all profession is unreal, it may now be profitable to weigh what God has to say of this merely outward, or relative, holiness.

3. We have seen that a person may in a certain sense be "Sanctified" by association and yet all the time be unsaved, and may become an apostate at last. It is also true that in another sense people are said to be "Sanctified" by association who are the subjects of an earnest, prayerful yearning, and may yet, and in all probability will be saved. But they are "Sanctified" before this, and in view of it. In { Corinthians }, is the passage that must now occupy us. It contains the fullest instruction as to the marriage relation that we have in the Bible:

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9. Commentary . . . These verses deal with marriages in which one partner becomes a Christian after the marriage has taken place. Speak I, not the Lord, I.e; Christ did not give any teaching concerning spiritually mixed marriages, but Paul does, and his teaching is authoritative.

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11. Commentary . . . "Sanctified." The presence of a Christian in the home "sets the home apart" and gives it a Christian influence it would not otherwise have. A Christian partner, therefore, should stay with the unbeliever. However, this does not mean that the children born into such a home are automatically Christians. They are holy in the sense of being "set apart" by the presence of one Christian parent. [ Read our message concerning "Divorce." ] Owing through the spread of the Gospel among the Gentile heathen, a condition had arisen in many places which the words of the Lord did not seem to be fully comprehensible, having been spoken, as they were to the Hebrew people, separated as a whole from Jehovah.

12. The question that soon began to agitate the Assemblies was this: Suppose a case [ and there were many such ] where a heathen wife is converted to God but her husband remains an unclean unbelieving 'idolater [ idol worshiper' ], and vice versa; can the Christian partner remain in the marriage relationship with the unconverted spouse and not be defiled? To a Hebrew the very thought of such a condition was an offense. In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, certain of the returned remnant had taken wives of the surrounding mixed nations, and the result brought friction and, or confusion:

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17. This state of things was abhorrent to the godly leaders, who did not rest until all the strange wives had been put away, and with them the children, who were considered likewise unclean, and a menace to the purity of Israel. With only certain books of the Old Testament in their hands, who could have wondered at it if some zealous, well-meaning legalists from Jerusalem had gone like firebrands through the Gentile Assemblies preaching a crusade against all contamination of this kind. It must also be realized by the reader that at that time, there were still several Books of the Bible yet to be written!

18. There were, as it is in this present day, false teachers who were guilty of breaking up households on every hand. Those teachers were counseling converted husbands to cast out their heathen wives and disown their children as the product of an unclean relationship. They were evidently also urging wives who believed in the one true God to flee from the embraces of idolatrous husbands, and at whatever cost that may take place.

19. Also, the wives were obviously taught to even forsake their offspring, as a supreme sacrifice to the God of holiness. It was to prevent just such a state of affairs that the verses that follow those we have already considered were penned by inspiration of the God of all grace. Concerning the irregular state the Lord had not spoken, as the time had not come to do so. Therefore, since the old Law had now been fulfilled a great change had taken place, Paul writes . . .

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25. Commentary . . . What an example we have here of the transcendent power of grace! Under the Old Law, the unclean partner defiled the "Sanctified" one. Under the present grace period the one whom God has saved "Sanctifies" the unclean or lost mate. The family is a Divine institution, older then the nations, Israel and even of the Body of Christ itself. What is here, and elsewhere in Scripture, clearly indicates that it is the will of God to save His people as households. He would not do violence to the ties of nature which He Himself has created. If He saves a man who is head of a household, He thereby indicates that for the entire family He has blessing in store.

26. We realize that there is necessarily considerable explanation involved to really comprehend these verses. When mixed marriages are considered, most likely many such cases were in existence in Corinth. According to the old law a man who had married a woman of 'the Gentiles [ and was consequently profane or unclean' ] defiled himself, and was compelled to send her away; and their children had no right to Hebrew privileges; they were rejected as unclean, See { Ezra 10:3 }. But under grace it was quite the contrary. The converted husband "Sanctified" the wife, and vice versa, and their children were reckoned clean before God; they had part in the ecclesiastical rights of their parent.

27. This is the sense of the word "holy," in connection with the question of order and of outward relationship towards God, which was suggested by the obligation under the law to send away wife and children in a similar case. Thus, the saved husband was not to send away his unsaved wife, nor she a saved wife to forsake her unsaved husband. if the unsaved forsook the saved definitively, the 'latter [ man or woman' ] was free . . . "let him or her depart." The brother was no longer bound to consider the one who had forsaken him as his wife, nor the sister the man who had forsaken her as her husband. But they were called to peace, and not to seek this separation.

28. Of course in Paul's day, the unsaved husband by being united to a believing wife was not actually "Sanctified" to Christ. This requires faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But the unsaved husband of a Corinthian household, whose wife was a Christian, was no longer continually in the darkness of heathendom; he was surrounded by the light of Christianity and had come through being linked with a Christian under that blessed influence. And so the offspring of such a union. Grace sought both the unsaved husband and the children. But mixed marriages are never to be encouraged.

29. But, all of this does not teach individual responsibility. Generally speaking, God's thought was to deliver His people's households with themselves. So He declares that the salvation of one parent "Sanctifies" the other, and the children too are "Sanctified." Is it because some change has taken place within these persons? Not at all. They may still be utterly unregenerate, loving only their evil ways, despising the grace and fearing not the judgment of God. But, they are nevertheless "Sanctified."

30. How does this agree with the perfectionists' view of "Sanctification?" As it is evident, the word here cannot mean an inward cleansing, his system falls to the ground. The fact is, he has attached an arbitrary meaning to it, which is linguistically incorrect, Scripturally untrue, and experimentally false. Concerning the case now occupying us, the "Sanctification" is clearly and wholly relative. The position of the rest of the family is changed by the conversion of one parent. That is no longer a heathen home in God's sight, but a Christian home. If you are a Christian and the rest of your family in your home are unsaved, it is still a Christian home, why? because you are a Christian that dwells in that home!

31. That household no longer dwells in the darkness, but in the light. Do not misunderstand me here, I'm not speaking of light and darkness as implying spiritual 'capacity [ knowledge' ] or incapacity. I am referring to outward responsibility. In an unchristian home all is darkness: there is no light [ understanding of Scriptural knowledge ] shining whatever. But if one parent of that family becomes converted to God; what then? At once the Spirit of God Who indwells that parent begins His abode in that house, and whether the rest of that family accepts this fact or not, there will be at least a certain amount of understanding given to that household. They are put into a place of privilege and responsibility to which they have been strangers in the past.

32. And, all this with no work of God, as yet, in their lives, but simply in view of such a work. For the conversion of that one parent was God's way of announcing His gracious desires for the whole family; even as in the jailer's case, He caused His servants to declare, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house."

33. The last few words did not guarantee salvation to the household, because salvation is an individual matter, but once it was placed upon the jailer's 'heart [ mind' ] the fact that the same way is open for the salvation of his family as for himself, and that God would have him count upon the Lord for this. They were "Sanctified" the moment he believed, and soon rejoicing filled the whole house, when all responded to the grace proclaimed.

34. This, then, is, in brief, the teaching of Holy Scripture as to relative "Sanctification," a theme often overlooked or ignored, but of deep solemnity and importance to Christian members of families of whom some are still unsaved. With this message I will end my own examination of the use of the actual term "Sanctification" in the Scriptures. What we have written in this message by no means exhausts the subject, therefore, we suggest that the student continue to study the subject further on his own.

1. "Heavenly Father, we do come to You, thanking You that You have revealed Yourself to us. And, yet, oh God when we take that which You have revealed concerning Yourself, we find that we are standing on the shore of an infinite sea. We feel like little children, playing with a bucket and a shovel, children that know nothing of those vast shores and the vast sea. Somehow, by the great power of the Holy Spirit, push back the clouds, open our minds to receive You, even the "Trinity:" the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We thank You that You are infinitely concerned about us, and that You are engaged in a Divine program to redeem us and bring us to Yourself. We pray these things in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.

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2. Again we ask you this question? Salvation: Are You Ready For Heaven?

3. It is possible that your heart [ mind ] has been running from the Lord and rebels against Him. The Word of God calls this "sin." The Scripture states that every one of us one way or another are sinners:

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4. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, { Romans 3: 23 }."

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5. Therefore, despite your sin, God loves you and wants to save you from sin, and to offer you a new life of hope.

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6. Scriptures: "The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: 'I [ the Lord Jesus' ] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly, { John 10:10 }."

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7. To give you a gift of salvation the Lord made a way through a Saviour Jesus Christ.

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8. Scripture: "But God commands His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, { Romans 5:8 }."

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9. You receive this salvation not by trying to be good enough to get to Heaven, but by just believing in Jesus Christ and trusting His Word.

10. Are you and your loved ones ready if death overtakes you? God is ready. Christ has prepared a home for you in Heaven. He wants you there. I believe that you want to go there. The Word of the Lord states . . .

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11. Scripture: "He, that being often reproved [ and ] hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy, { Proverbs 29:1}." [ If you will not listen and believe before the Resurrection of the Body of Christ, look what the Lord says about you ]:

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12. { V. 10 } Scripture: "And with all deceivableness of [ unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception to ] unrighteousness in them that perish [ and are going to perdition, perishing ]; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [ They refused to believe the truth of God's Word ].

13. { V. 11 }: And for this cause God will send them [ a working error of ] strong delusion [ a misleading influence, of some type of idol worship ], that they should believe a lie [ of what is false ].

14. { V. 12 }: That they all might [ be judged ] be damned [ condemned ] who believed not [ and refused to adhere to trust and rely on ] the truth, but [ instead ] had pleasure in unrighteousness, { 2- Thessalonians 2:10-12 }."

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15. Commentary . . . In order to be positive of your own salvation, we once again ask you to "Please" read and pray the following prayer and if you really believe and accept in your heart [ mind ] what you have read and have spoken these words in this prayer with a contrite mind to God the Father, you will have become a Child of God!

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16. Heavenly Father, I know that I'm a lost sinner and that I cannot save myself by good works. I believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son Who came down from Heaven and took on a human body of flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. I believe that Jesus shed His blood on the cross of Calvary and died paying the price for my sins with His death so that I can receive salvation because and through His sacrifice. I believe that after Christ's sacrifice and death, He arose from the tomb after three literal days and nights. That Jesus ascended into the third Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. I believe that Jesus will return for all Saints who belong to the Body of Christ in the Resurrection [ Rapture ] according to His own promise! . . .

I know that I have been up to this time a lost sinner and deserved to go to hell. So I beseech you Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit at this very moment into my Heart and save me for Jesus Christ sake as has been promised me by Your Holy Word. I am receiving Jesus Christ at this very moment as my personal Saviour, my Lord, and as my only blessed hope for salvation. Thank You Lord for now I am saved by Your wonderful grace. Amen!

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17. Scripture: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved, { John 3:16-17 }."

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18. Scripture: " For by grace are you saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God : Not of works , lest any man should boast, { Ephesians 2:8-9 }."

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19. Scripture: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His [ Holy ] Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God, { 1- Corinthians 2:9-10 }."

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20. Helps in this article comes from great Theologians such as Dr. Gaebelein; Dr. Ironside; Dr. Larkin; Dr. McGee and others. In regards to our readers, we would deeply express our thanks to those who will recopy this message and pass it on to others that they too may be blessed or perhaps find Salvation from it. If you have a computer, then why not download the message, make copies of it and pass it on to others?

End.

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