IPHC Doctrinal Amplification Page Three

"Entire sanctification" in the sense of the above cleansing, and in the sense of a complete dedication to God, including a full and unreserved "setting apart" or "consecration" of the life to God, is an instantaneous, definite, second work of grace, obtainable by faith on the part of the fully-justified believer. (See Romans 5:1, 2: "... justified by faith ... peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice ...." Also see 1 John 1:9: "... to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Note also Titus 2:14: "... redeem from all iniquity and purify ... " and Acts 26:18: "... forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified." Also refer to the following Scriptures for those who "are sanctified": Acts 20:32; 26:18; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6-11; Hebrews 2:11; 10:14; Jude 1). This is purity and dedication; it is not maturity, but the crisis experience that marks the beginning of the sanctified life in which there is certainly room for development, progress, and growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). But remember we must get into this grace before we can grow in it. It is not absolute perfection, not angelic perfection; not "sinless perfection," if the term is used to imply the impossibility of a sanctified person's falling into sin. We do not believe it is impossible for the sanctified to commit sin; but we do believe that it is possible for a sanctified person not to commit sin (Luke 1:73-75; Titus 2:11, 12; 1 John 1:7; 2:1, 6; 3:5-10; 5:18). We are aware of John's statement in 1 John 1:8, but these words apply to those who deny the need for cleansing, not to those who have experienced it and are living the sanctified life. This is Christian perfection-in which we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31); in which we love Christ and keep His commandments (john 14:15), among which is this, "Little children these things write I unto you, that ye sin not" (1 John 2:1). The sanctified life is one of separation from the world, a selfless life, a life of devotion to all the will of God, a life of holiness in accordance with Romans 6:22; 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 5:23; Hebrews 12:14; James 1:27; and 1 Peter 1:15, 16. It is a life controlled by "perfect love" which "casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18).