You not preaching holiness till you've named it!

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Brother, I understand what you are saying. BUT - always a but - not trying to be a butt, but... - 'holiness' is something we as a movement have grossly misunderstood. We have to get the foundation right. Otherwise, we'll wind up miles off course, even though the ship will still be sailing, yet it'll be sailing to the wrong destination.

Standards of modesty and behaviour are not the be all end all of holiness. I think if we raise the standard to a Biblical level, to heart purity, entire sanctification (Psalm 26, for ex.), then the rest will fall into place. Too many have been given the false comfort that 'if I dress right, don't do this or that, and look the part, then I have holiness.' Too many have been given the false idea that 'preaching holiness means blasting jewelry and makeup and Hollyweird and public swimming pools.'

When was the last time you heard a message on Acts 15:9? That's a great text for a good old fashioned Pentecostal message, wouldn't you agree? I have never heard that verse preached, anywhere, by anyone.

We have to begin at the beginning, we have to lay the foundation first. My wife got the Holy Ghost and without any input from anyone she cleaned out her closet that night. I wasn't even living all that right (allowing certain things, I was dumb and uneducated, undiscipled in other words) but the HOLY Ghost taught her on day one certain things.

And years later she walked into an apostolic church, a 'conservative' one mind you, and was stunned and embarassed at how people were dressed, she said they look like they are going to a Pentecostal night club or something. But everything was 'within standards', mind you. Men and women looking like they are going to meet some high-dollar business man instead of the Holy God of all creation. Dressed for success?

But it will do no good whatsoever to blast away at external excesses unless and until the internal, heart impurities of pride and selfishness are blasted away. Jesus said FIRST make the inside clean...

I don't think it is fair to put the underlined comment in the same category as preaching on outward holiness. Was that not to with Judaizers trying to put unnecessary laws upon the Gentile converts? As has already been posted, Paul tells us how to not be outwardly adorned. I understand for many Pentecostals, outward holiness has been a place we hung our hats. Many have run the subject into the ground and have over emphasized outward holiness and neglected inward holiness, but do we throw the baby out with the bath water though and stop preaching outward holiness?

I get sick of hearing people saying that God judges my heart, and all the while portraying all ungodliness outwardly. The most important emphasis should be placed upon inward holiness, but the visible outward work should also be taught as a continuing evidence. Outward holiness should be taught, but not to leave the other undone.