Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

202 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

received instantaneously by faith, the justified believer is delivered from inbred sin, and consequently is saved from all unholy tempers, cleansed from all moral defilement, made perfect in love and introduced into full and abiding fellowship with God. – Doctrinal Statement of The First General Holiness Assembly held in Chicago, May, 1885 [Robert M. Anderson, Vision of the Disinherited ] B. Sin is primarily defined as “knowing, willful disobedience.” 1. The concept of Christian Perfection [entire sanctification] is carefully defined. Perfection is not: perfect knowledge (ignorance remains), not freedom from mistakes, not free from weakness or character flaws, not free from temptation, not free from the need to grow, [See John Wesley, On Christian Perfection ] It is not, a loss of the ability to sin. There is no point, short of glorification, where people could not fall. Perfection is: Walking in love by faith so that one does not sin willfully and habitually. 2. There is still a process of sanctification that follows the event of sanctification. I believe this perfection is always wrought in the soul by a simple act of faith; consequently in an instant. But I believe [in] a gradual work, both preceding and following that instant. As to the time, I believe this instant generally is the instant of death, the moment before the soul leaves the body. But I believe it may be ten, twenty, or forty years before. I believe it is usually many years after justification.

– Brief Thoughts on Christian Perfection. The Works of John Wesley . Vol. 11, p. 466.

Some holiness groups disagree with Wesley about timing. They believe entire sanctification can, and should, come more quickly.

C. Arguments for: 1. It is commanded by Jesus and the Apostles

Matthew 5:48 – “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Compare with Apostle’s injunction (1 John 5:3 – This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome).