Holiness
 

There seems to be several definitions in the minds of people about Holiness.

So what is a Biblical description/definition of Holiness? Is it a standard or uniformity of outward appearance? Is Holiness an inward spiritual resting place? How does it manifest itself in a follower of Christ's being? Do people masquerade behind physical appearances of Holiness?

When talking about Holiness, we need to have an understanding of what Holiness really is because that word gets thrown into the discussions frequently and usually refers to outward appearances. I think it happens to have a more deeper spiritual reference.

Any thoughts on this?

Re: Holiness
 

Anytime holiness is mentioned in the Bible, it is generally in reference to the character of God.

Psalms 47:8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Isaiah 63:18 The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Isaiah 62:9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Holiness is never ONCE mentioned in scripture connected with an outward dress or appearance. It is always in reference to character, generally the character of God, or taking on the character of God.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
  
• 1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

If any "holiness" physical clothing standard scriptures are found, would someone please share them with me. To my knowledge.... there are none.

Re: Holiness
 

Being holy is being pure. It is being separated to the will of God.

Re: Holiness
 

Holiness is not just about outward appearances. Holiness starts inwardly and works itself outwardly. The appearance is the last thing on the list, in my opinion.

Re: Holiness
 

Psalms 15 describes true Holiness.

1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Re: Holiness
 

Amen and amen!!!!!

Have you found a scripture that relates holiness to physical outward appearance Jabez?

Re: Holiness
 

For me personal holiness is about striving to be like Jesus was while in His human form. It is about acknowledging temptations but moving beyond them to do what is right before God even when those choices are hard or sometimes impossibe. It is about operating in love even in the most difficult situations and with the most trying people. It is not just about hoping to hear a 'well done' at the judgement when all is weighed but trying to live in a state of 'well done' moment by moment. And it is about knowing that it is only because of a holy God that lives in me that I have any hope of meeting any of these lofty goals.

It is harder for me to describe then I would have thought... wish I had a better vocabulary at times like these.

Re: Holiness
 

That said more than you know. :thumbsup

It is beyond our comprehension and vocabulary, thats what makes the Holy Ghost so wonderful.

Re: Holiness
 

No.

Re: Holiness
 

BroJoe, but what IS holiness?

Re: Holiness
 

Brother MTD, can you expound a little more about what makes us pure and separated to the will of God?

Re: Holiness
 

Sure. It starts with the new birth. Repenting, being baptized into Jesus in water and spirit. When one does that he is in Christ. He is actually (because he is a new creation) holy and pure right then and there.

Due to the Holy Ghost power in him he is now able to live as Jesus lived. Through the learning of the commands of Jesus he begins to know how to walk and please God.

Here would be an example.

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 1 Thess. 4:1-2

So what is this enabling power the Holy Ghost brings a disciple?

5 And hope maketh not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

Yes its that simple! The power of love.

Now we are able to fulfill the first and great commandment.

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. Matt. 22:36-38

God puts within us a measure of love from him and for him. That is the power that works in us. If one loves him they will want to please him.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5

This "abiding in Jesus" is being holy. Staying attached to him. We are to make it our LIFE to see to it that this happens.

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead , and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear , then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth;up fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Thats it in a nutshell.

Re: Holiness
 

I think it has something to do with cleansing ourselves of flithiness of spirt and flesh.

Re: Holiness
 

I posted several things about this in a recent thread here.
No need to repeat them.
If interested you can read them at
http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ghlight=Wimber


I present several viewpoints there

Re: Holiness
 

The way one dresses is not in itself "holiness". Yet how one dresses does have something to do with holiness. We have instructions from the Apostles so we are to separate ourselves to what Jesus likes.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:1-4

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Tim. 2:8-10

If we want to be holy we need to embrace the teachings of the holy one.

Re: Holiness
 

We consecrate/separate/dedicate ourselves to God, and God makes us holy with his Spirit.


http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/...gs=H6942&t=KJV

1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate

a) (Qal)

1) to be set apart, be consecrated

2) to be hallowed

3) consecrated, tabooed

b) (Niphal)

1) to show oneself sacred or majestic

2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred

3) to be holy

c) (Piel)

1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

2) to observe as holy, keep sacred

3) to honour as sacred, hallow

4) to consecrate

d) (Pual)

1) to be consecrated

2) consecrated, dedicated

e) (Hiphil)

1) to set apart, devote, consecrate

2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow

3) to consecrate

f) (Hithpael)

1) to keep oneself apart or separate

2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God)

3) to be observed as holy

4) to consecrate oneself

Re: Holiness
 

I personally believe all aspects of holiness are equal in importance, outward and inward.

Re: Holiness
 

Cool.

Either way, without holiness no man shall see the father.

Re: Holiness
 

I like how you cracked your nutshell :) Great words, and a great analogy from scripture of how our life in Christ is living in the vine with Christ Jesus, - truly abiding in Him each and every day. That is true holiness.

Re: Holiness
 

John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Romans 1: 3-6
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Romans 12:1,2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Heb. 12:14
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:


I believe that after we have received the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, will lead and guide us, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We MUST desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we might go thereby. We must learn to walk in the Spirit as we grow. They that are led by the Spirit, they will become the sons and daughters of the Living God. HE IS HOLY, and His Word tells us :

1Peter1:14-16
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Children that were never disciplined or trained up, in the way they SHOULD go, will not likely grow up to adults who want someone to tell them what to do. Many have a problem with authority, any kind of authority. They may not have had anyone who taught them that there are things you should do and things you should not do. Many young people are in reform schools, etc., today because they listened to no one. The attitute, "I don't have to obey you, you're not my boss, or parent, etc.". No one corrected them so they had no example of authority. Correction institutions are full today of young people who never learned to obey anyone. Could it be that there is a generation who have grown up with the attitude of "No one is going to tell me what to do"! Also there are adults who perhaps heard their parents say, "I don't agree with ....., so we are not going to do or not do that. Or perhaps parents who never learned to say NO to their children, so when faced with an authority figure later in life, their children rebelled.
Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

What was Israel's problem! Idolatry! They rebelled against a HOLY GOD! Of course the LAW could make no man righteouos, but TODAY the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT (same thing) CAN! Holiness is a spirit that comes from the leading of THE HOLY GHOST!! Follow peace with all men and Holiness, without which no man/woman will see the LORD!

Falla39

Re: Holiness
 

Holiness (heart conforming to God's character) and sanctification (outward appearance/disciplines)are often misunderstood to be one and the same. One can have sanctification without ever being holy, however one cannot have true holiness and not be sanctified. Sadly many live a life of sanctification and are bitter about it because they have never had a relationship with God that will draw them to holiness.

Sanctification is a byproduct of holiness, however it seems many teach that sanctification will make you holy........not so!

Re: Holiness
 

Very good post.

Re: Holiness
 

Holiness is not something you do or obtain by rightous works.

The Nation of Israel was Holy unto God. Why? Not because they was some great religious movement of the day. Not because of some rightousness they obtained.

No they where Holy and seperated because God declared them as such.

Nothing you do makes you Holy or seperated, Your outward dress or your personality etc.

Its God in You that makes you Holy and seperates you from this world. That is Holiness.

while we strive to have sin managment in our life, and to be open loving and caring, sinners can do that, so that is not what seperates us from them. Its by the Spirit of God declaring you Holy through Jesus Christ.

That is where one is declared rightous by faith, reconciled to God through His death, His Spirit deposited for Sonship and redemption, Now yoy are being perfected in Christ, Not because of your deeds or sin managment , but because of the finished work of the Cross.

Now you are in a Holy priesthood seperated to god for the work of His will and Good Pleasure. He made you Holy, you couldnt do anything to become Holy.

When Isaiah saw Gods Glory, He declared Himself a wretched man"he fell apart at the seems so to speak", He repented Then it wasnt until God sent the angel with the coal to touch His tonge was he declared Holy and rightous.

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

That is now the Holy Spirit in Us. That is Holiness.

Re: Holiness
 

Brother though I respect your position in this post, I'll have to disagree... to a degree.

I don't agree with your definitions for Holiness and Sanctification. I define Righteousness as my heart conforming to God's Character. And I believe that comes by no other source than by the grace of God, through the shed blood of Christ. I do not believe Righteousness can be earned.

I believe Holiness is literally separation. God is Holy as there are none like him... He is set apart from all others and Holy (set apart/none like Him) in His Mercy, Holy in His compassion, Holy in His judgement, Holy in His Righteousness, etc.

For me, Lifestyle Holiness is about separation, separation from culture, from modern day trends, from certain aspects of dress and conduct, etc. I would even go as far as to say that Holiness and Sanctification are the same thing.

Though you and I disagree on the semantics, it's obvious we both believe the same things though about separated living and Lifestyle Holiness.

Re: Holiness
 

I think holiness is about separation, how we define separation may differ.

Re: Holiness
 

To me... "holiness" is essentially being a living extention of Jesus Himself. Allowing Jesus to live His own life out through us, producing fruit. Realizing that we are one with Him with regards to spirit. Allowing Him to be the vine... and ourselves to be the branches. One organism. Reckoning ourselves crucified with Him, and now reckoning our identity as being found only in Christ. Being Jesus.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Re: Holiness
 

I agree with this, and you stated it quite well. The word holiness in scripture is never found in regards to outward appearance, but in regards to the character of God.

I like your description of sanctification in that it is a by-product of holiness of heart.

Sanctification can be produced by our flesh, but true holiness of heart will never be achieved by working on sanctification alone.

Wonder when OP will figure this out? That would be a great breakthrough in many churches....

Re: Holiness
 

How does a finite human being become conform to an infinite and holy God's character?

Re: Holiness
 

If I may answer this question....

I believe II Peter 1:3-10 holds the answer to this question.

3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


According to Peter, if we seek to put on his divine nature, and divine power, they will give us all we need to obtain life and godliness. With all diligence we can add to our faith like this:
1. Faith
2. Virtue
3. Knowledge
4. Temperance
5. Patience
6. Godliness
7. Brotherly kindness
8. Charity

II Peter 1:8 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

II Peter 1:10,11 "... for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the EVERLASTING kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Re: Holiness
 

thats sanctification Not Holiness,

you are already Holy and acceptable in gods eye's through jesus before many of these attributes start to grow in your life.

This is the process of sanctification, the work of the Holy spirit in You.

Being seperated Comes from the Spirit, when one is placed in the Body of believers. This is the finished work of the Cross, from there we grow in our walk producing such fruits. The work of God in us.

Re: Holiness
 

Sanctification means 'the act of being made a saint'. A saint is a 'holy one'. Thus, sanctification is the act of being made holy. Sanctified means 'holy', 'holy-fied' if you will.

Trying to divide 'sanctification' from 'holiness' is an error based on using equivalent English terms without regard to their grammatical equivalency. Or in other words, it is the fallacy of equivocation, in a sense.

Just like the 'remission vs forgiveness of sins' error.

Also, I see you are espousing the 'progressive sanctification view' and the 'positional holiness view'.

Question - can a person die and still be saved without being entirely sanctified? If not, how sanctified does a person need to be to make it?

NOTE TO EVERYBODY: BY THE WAY - I AM NOT CLAIMING TO BE ENTIRELY SANCTIFIED, PERFECT, ABOVE MISTAKE, OR FREE FROM ERROR. In fact, I am not making any claims whatsoever about my - OR YOUR - state of sanctification or holiness.
SO PLEASE PEOPLE - let's not get into 'Oh, so you think you're perfect, eh?' types of comments.
:thumbsup

Re: Holiness
 

Holy simple means to be seperated. That is done by God alone. He set you apart. He called you. One is made seperate by the Spirit.

sanctification is a broad term with many meaning but i will use it in the way I understand it best.

one definition

the state of being sanctified b : the state of growing
in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion

use of the believer being progressively transformed by the Lord into His likeness (similarity of nature).

This is a good picture. i have been made Holy because of the work of the Cross and The Spirit Given as a deposit.

I am made Holy acceptable through the Blood of Christ, The bible declares i am made rightous through Him.

Because of that I start a christian growth, because of what God has done for me and His power through me, begins a process of growing from milk to meat.

while i understand that the church has divided the word sanctification it was because we realize after our new birth we are declared rightous, and now we grow in that Holiness through the Spirit

Re: Holiness
 

And so...

Re: Holiness
 

People nowdays seem to think they have NO PART in being holy and sanctified. Obviously these two things are the same.

If we have no part in it why are WE COMMANDED to be holy if we already automatically are? Why are we commanded to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit? Why are we told to through the Spirit mortify the dees of the flesh?

Todays teaching patterned after Protestant teaching is false and corrupt.

Re: Holiness
 

EXACTLY.

Oh there you go, stirring up them hornets!

:icecream

Re: Holiness
 

Keep em coming friends. I love the answers. We hear so much about Holiness that I think I need a thorough understanding of what that means...not the pat answer I learned in church which was just "standards".

My phone lines are down and I am in and out using other people's wifi networks :D.

Re: Holiness
 

"A good neighbor is one that leaves his/her wifi network unsecured..." :icecream

Re: Holiness
 

I personally think, just my opinion, that holiness, and sanctification work hand in hand, and not separate, and distinct from one another. As humans we can never achieve holiness, as in the holy character of God, without his Spirit indwelling us.

However, if you can you provide a scripture that relates one being holy to just "believing" and receiving the indwelling of the Spirit of God, I am willing to re-consider.

Otherwise, I cannot see the two - holiness, and sanctification as two different ideas, but two concepts working together to help us to mature and grow, and live with the mind of Christ.

I tend to think that holiness, and sanctification work hand in hand, just as Peter wrote in the second epistle, chapter 1. As the divine and holy nature of God is allowed to grow and mature in our lives, we become dead to our flesh, separated unto God, and allow the spirit of Jesus to change us from the inside out, so that we have "put on the mind of Christ."

It is a day, by day experience. Not something that happens one day, and then you never have to work on it again. It is a constant battle, as long as we are dealing with our flesh to strive to be set apart in heart, and in our lives unto God.

Until we are changed from corruptible to incorruptible, we will have this struggle, this battle that will go on. Each day we must strive to put on the mind of Christ, and allow His divine nature, and power to change us, and mold us into a vessel that is pleasing unto God, as the Spirit leads.

Re: Holiness
 

My neighbors are in the same boat I am in...no fast access, DSL, cable ...

Nobody will spend the money to bring it to us. :(

Re: Holiness
 

What about Hughes Net? We are out in the "sticks" here, and that is what we have to use. It is expensive, and not really that fast, but it is better than dial-up.