Are there any early COG writings that explain the work of sanctification as a point in time experience after being born again.
I believe that the company stated position is that the experience itself makes one holy. Is that correct? And does that mean being in a state of not committing sin again.
Could anyone clarify?
my latino maid will answer this when she gets through mopping the floors!
that is a good question!
I don’t really think a COG writer has adequately answered that in any published book form that I know. It was challenged by Evangel articles in finished work view but I can’t say I have read a good retort against the finished work view.
I know It was expressed distinctly in the Declaration of Faith to my personal satisfaction. If I answer the question of being in a state of not committing sin someone will have to kill me! However there is a Bible basis for such a belief.
I believe IMHO You have to be already in that sinless state before you can be made holy. Without that holiness no man shall see the Lord.
Now about the part of someone shooting me…
Question: from what does holiness issue from, regeneration or sanctification?
Let’s look at how Paul greeted the churches. He called them Saints. Even Ananias called them Saints not sinners. It wasn’t until Antioch that the believers were called Christians. Are all Saints perfect? No. Did they sin after being saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost? Yes, you know they did? Even Peter, I feel committed a sin when he was confronted by Paul in Galatians 2. There is a difference about being tempted and actually doing the act. Because that is what we have to overcome, put off and etc. It is not a sin to be tempted. Sanctification is something that we have to do. Sanctification is a type of cleansing, or being set apart. Three of the strongest scriptures I believe for sanctification process is found in Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 5:1-5 and James1:19-22. These will help you get sanctified.
Thank you Scotty Searan. You mention the sanctification “process” which I understand.
I am trying to understand the COG doctrine which seems to talk about a one time sanctification “experience” that is subsequent to salvation or conversion. This experience is set forth as a primary COG distinctive doctrine.
Does this experience generally happen at an altar in church? Is there any objective evidence? How does the individual and others know they have been sanctified at this point in time event?
Terry, you were looking for a definition of sanctification that had the word “process” in it weren’t you? I thought so.
The definition I can find is the one I got at Lee College. “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.”
but backing up there is a definition of regeneration/new birth which was called “effectual calling” (this is the work prior to sanctification) …”the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.”
We had to memorize these two definitions and were tested on them as requirement for the course. As for as I know these were the acceptable doctrines by the theology department of the school.
This is a confusing co-mingling of new birth with sanctification and the words “subsequent to” are annulled. This is an Assy of God statement which this teacher informed me of 30 years later.
Actually I am looking for the direct physical evidence of the sanctification event that produces holiness mentioned in COG doctrine. What do the old timers in the COG mean and how do they recognize it has happened?
evidence was outlined for them in the practical teachings of the minutes. This was the way you knew someone was sanctified. They preached the evidence loud and clear.
This would not be a question up for discussion for the old timers.
Today the answer for the COG was what I had to memorize in Lee
The evidence is assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to end.
Sister Hill, I am sure has all these evidences yet the old timers would fervently deny that she is sanctified. There are only a few that will say this today.
The COG DF implies that regeneration and sanctification are two separate works. One precedes the other in time (I am sure there are times when they are close together in time yet they are separate and distinct.
From the 17th century The use of the word conversion suggested that regeneration and sanctification were commingled (Berkhof) and between the two was “effectual calling” which was the word the Reformers used in the place of regeneration. The definition I had to memorize at Lee (one that John Sims ridiculed) was Westminister Shorter Confession, a 17th century document. From this the word “conversion” was the Evangelical word for “saved” It theologically combined external works with regeneration and thus we have the words for salvation as used today. This evolved quickly into a modern Calvinistic reformed expression for salvation and on the other hand an Arminian expression and in Andrew Fuller he produced a theology that could make the two expressions compatible. Thus the first major mission board was established and William Carey was the first missionary of the mingled expression. The first missionaries of modern missions were reformed Calvinist. The rest is a history of American Missionaries.
The COG stepped into this fray with an opposing view to both expressions. Sanctification separate and apart from regeneration. I don’t believe the word “effectual calling” was ever used. The AOG would use this term and it is a distinct baptistic term for conversion. It forms the calls in sinner’s prayer, altar calls, personal and group evangelism. We used “Evangelism Explosion” in the Lee PFC which is a baptistic/reformed evangelistic program.
When you get saved in COG but that isn’t the primary focus. Under the baptistic expression that is the primary focus (how many people are getting saved?) In the COG it was getting sanctified. I am saved and sanctified with the accent on Sanctified. You were a sanctified saint of God. You sought sanctification with greater fervor than the new birth. When people were earnestly seeking to be born again they are seeking sanctification.
This struggle of 17th century was experienced by Charles Spurgeon in the “downgrade” controversy. Modern evangelicalism is called “downgrade” and for a while it seems Spurgeon was caught in it. George Whitefield was caught in it. The “downgrade” evolved into Reformed theology today (which I adamantly resist and the free will theology of Charles Finney which I also resist).
For me personally I find good theology (bad pragmatic practice and methodology) in the COF Declaration of Faith concerning sanctification. Then wording is there and needs valid interpretation.
I seem to receive every type of answer except the one to the specific question I ask. At this point (on this site) I have to assume that know one really knows the answer and whatever the subsequent experience of sanctification as a doctrine in the COG is simply a subjective experience that ultimately is left up to the belief of the individual and his or her own experience. Thanks.
” I don’t really think a COG writer has adequately answered that in any published book form that I know.” That was my first statement.
You have state a a “subjective experience that ultimately is left up to the belief of the individual and his or her own experience.”
The old timers would not accept that to be true however the current administration would agree (some may secretively disagree)
OK what is your view, Terry?
I’m trying to understand COG view.
Personally I believe it is difficult for us today to understand sanctification because we do not think with a mindset of Hebrew covenants. The New Testament writers fully understood covenant language. We tend to think in terms of experiencias.
Scripture says be holy because God is holy.
Thus, sanctification has personal actions connected to it.
Perhaps the initial work of sanctification kicks in when a born again believer makes a command decision to live a covenant life. Just as God separates Himself to His word the sanctified person begins to follow in Covenant with Gods holy ethics and actions.
An example would be the covenant language of Ephesians which says “husband love your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for Her.”
Using this as an example some days I’m sanctified and some days I’m not.
We tend to get hung up on externals while at the same time we understand it is not in what we eat or drink or wear. It is in lifestyle that mirrors the Kingdom of God.
So sanctification then must start with the way we think – our mindset.
Peter says (1 Peter 2) that we ought to see ourselves a a new nation or race of people. This includes a lifestyle that may be mocked by the world but on the day of visitation will bring glory to God when the world is judged for how they treated us.
These are just musings at this point.
As I said, I was trying to understand the COG.
Personally I believe there is a decision point followed by a life of covenant commence to God. I personally don’t use the “times of refreshing” experiences as evidence of personal sanctification.
Thanks for the opportunity to discuss this.
Please share
Brethren, there were many early writers in the CoG who wrote books on Sanctification.
I can answer all the questions that you posted. I am writing a book on Sanctification. CoG’s doctrine on sanctification stands in total opposition to those of the “Finished Work Doctrine” as promoted by the Assemblies of God which was initiated by William Durham, a Baptist preacher who went to Azusa Street and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Melvin Harter, I was thinking of starting a thread on whether someone could be baptized with the Holy Ghost without first having a one-time experience of sanctification after being saved. Feel free to participate. I’m curious to know your views.
Early CoG preachers preached very hard against the Finished Work Doctrine” and declared the AoG to be of the devil himself.
Good night everyone please pray for me lung doctors appointment in the morning
Even through the 1970s CoG people were encouraged never to attend an AoG church. The CoG said the AoG were about 20 years ahead of the CoG and were a very worldly people. We were to have no fellowship with them whatsoever.
All of the questions posted, ask the same question to Soteriology, the Doctrine of Salvation. The answers you receive regarding it can be applied to the doctrine of sanctification. Regarding the witness of someone getting sanctified? It is TREMENDOUS JOY. Jesus already said it in John 17:13. Do you know why there are no shouts of joy today in the church? There is no sanctification experience among the people.
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