Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 201

2. The Corinthian church was identified by Paul as “sanctified by Christ Jesus and called to be holy” but in practice was anything but. Paul had to say in 1 Corinthians 3:3, “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” Paul understood the difference between being sanctified in God’s sight but not yet sanctified in practice. a. Experience teaches us that: (1) We sin. (2) People who claim perfection tend to become legalistic, condemning, boastful, and tend to deny sin when it occurs. b. Romans 7 – This passage is understood as describing Paul’s experience following conversion. c. Complete sinless perfection is not attainable in this life. When the word “Perfect” occurs in Scripture it is understood as “complete” or “mature.” Glorification is when sinlessness is achieved. Sanctification is the movement toward holiness that draws on the resources given at salvation. d. Most important historical proponent: Martin Luther Luther spoke about Christians as “ simul justus et peccator ”- at one and the same time a righteous man and a sinner. He believed that this paradox will not find resolution until faith become sight. Lutheranism in no way condones sin. Rather it recognizes “that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” III. Holiness movements A. Sanctification is a second and distinct experience from salvation. Like salvation it is received by grace through faith and is frequently spoken of as “the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” Entire Sanctification more commonly designated as “sanctification,” “holiness,”“Christian perfection,” or “perfect love,” represents that second definite stage in Christian experience wherein, by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, administered by Jesus Christ, and