[QUOTE=Esaias;1276785]This was Paul's evangelistic mission, to preach the gospel to the nations. I see no doctrine of subsequence here, they were to (by believing the gospel) receive remission of sins and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ. The word 'and' does not imply subsequence. This verse is speaking of people who have no inheritance in the Israel of God (that is, people who are unregenerate pagans) receiving the forgiveness of their sins and being made a part of the commonwealth of Israel (the church, those who have been 'set apart' and 'consecrated' unto God, by faith in Christ).
This cannot be subsequence. Otherwise, those who have had their sins remitted, who are 'in Christ', can be said to also be 'unrenewed in the spirit of their mind' and to have NOT 'put on the new man'.
I remember reading an article called something like 'What they call sanctification is only justification', and the author was saying that many who 'teach sanctification' as ending the former conversation and 'putting on the new man' are only describing initial salvation, not entire sanctification. The author was a Wesleyan holiness preacher, and was pointing out that a person who had not 'stopped sinning' had not even been justified yet, let alone sanctified.
Anyway, verse 21 is the connection, Paul is repeating the fundamental teaching of Christ.
21
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Thus, Paul is reminding them of the basic gospel teaching - put off the old way, be renewed, walk in the new way. This is not a doctrine of subsequent, post conversion, post-salvation sanctification experience.
The perfection spoken of here has to do with knowledge and doctrine, not experiences of a "second definite work of grace." The apostle wanted them to move on past the basic doctrines (which include the doctrines of 'baptisms' by the way...)
This is not subsequence! This is saying we have boldness to enter into the true holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus in contrast to what was portrayed under the old covenant Day of Atonement rituals, where the high priest alone went in once a year.
Verse 4 of that chapter reads - For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
The context is remission of sins, not a second work after remission of sins.
This is about leaving the old covenant and going 'outside the camp' of Judaism unto Christ, in the new way.
Notice though that the sanctification is provided by the same events and the same work as that which provides forgiveness - the Cross.
If this describes a subsequent work of sanctification, then those who are 'born again' but not yet 'sanctified' are those who have not partaken of the divine nature and have not escaped the corruption of the world. But that means they are no different than the heathen.
Also, it does not actually say or teach a SUBSEQUENT work. Where is the actual words of the apostles saying anything to the effect that 'you have been born again, justified, but you are not sanctified, and need another shot of the Cross?'
Quote:
Revelation 22:11
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
No subsequence here, rather a declaration that at the judgement, you will forever be what you are - either lost, or saved, filthy, or clean, unholy, or holy.
Don't get me wrong, I believe in entire sanctification.
I just do not believe it MUST be a 'second definite work coming after salvation, regeneration, justification, etc.'
Justification, regeneration, sanctification, cleansing, adoption, conversion, etc are all different terms describing different aspects of SALVATION, accomplished by Christ on the cross and available to us by faith.
Look here:
Acts 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
This was in reference to this:
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Gentiles heard the gospel. They believed, were 'granted repentance unto life', received the Holy Ghost, had their hearts purified by faith, got the Baptism with the Holy Ghost... ALL IN ONE SHOT. BECAUSE of that, they were baptised. How did Peter know all these things happened? Because, in chapter 10 verse 47 it says they 'heard them speak with tongues and magnify God'.
They received it all in that Pentecostal baptism with the Holy Ghost. The only 'subsequent' thing that happened was they were baptized in water, in Jesus' name.
Thus, no subsequence necessary for sanctification.
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I'm glad to see that someone finally understands that it is at Spirit baptism that our hearts are literally made pure by faith. God's precense is a purifying precense. Our God is a consuming fire. It is at that point also that new heart is created within us by this purifying precense of God. Again, their hearts were purified
BY FAITH. Faith in what? Jesus and his shed blood. The blood is "applied" by the agency of the Spirit. There is no literal "cleansing blood" touching anyone.
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