God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

action upon the believer (see Appendix 22 for a further clarification of “entire sanctification” in these churches including scriptural support and its relationship to the baptism in the Holy Spirit). (4) Sanctification is separate from and must logically follow salvation. While this may be immediate, it often is a number of years before this happens. (5) The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a second experience following conversion in which the Holy Spirit brings a person into “Christian perfection” or “entire sanctification.” It is the means by which a person comes to fully desire, and is empowered to live, a holy life. This means abstaining from willful sin and walking in love for God and for people.

Entire sanctification is a second definite work of grace wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer subsequent to regeneration, received instan- taneously by faith, by which the heart is cleansed from all

(6) Summary of the Holiness Position

(a) What is the “baptism in the Holy Spirit”?

A crisis experience in which the Christian is “perfected in love” and empowered to live a holy life. This is often called the “second blessing” or “second work of grace.”

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corruption and filled with the

perfect love of God. ~ A. M. Hills, quoted in J. Kenneth Grider. A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology . p. 439.

(b) When is the “fullness of the Holy Spirit” received?

Different for each person but always after justification (conversion)

(c) How is the “fullness of the Spirit” received?

Repentance and faith, earnest seeking in prayer

(d) What is the evidence or confirmation that the “fullness of the Spirit” was received?

Holiness of life, defined as victory over known sin and love for others