Many teachers of holiness inculcate the doctrine that we are first
sanctified by the blood of Jesus, and afterwards filled or baptized
with the Holy Ghost. This opinion would necessitate three separate
experiences, where, I think, the Scripture only speaks of two. We
should have (1) pardon, (2) entire sanctification by the blood, and (3)
the filling of the Spirit. There would thus be a separation between the
removing of inbred sin from the heart, and the baptism with the Holy
Ghost. This baptism would, then, be only a qualification for service.
It is regarded by these teachers, as only given for an enduement of
power, to do the work to which we are called. And the practical result
of this error, for such with due deference I must regard it, is that
some will be very anxious to obtain the baptism with the Holy Ghost to
make them strong or powerful in their work, but will ignore, or even
deny, the doctrine of entire sanctification. Dr. S. A. Keen tells us of
a minister who wrote to him that he did not take much stock in
sanctification, but that he was very desirous of the Holy Ghost
baptism, in order that he might have increased power in the ministry of
the word. And, indeed, this seems to be a very prevalent idea, that we
are to be baptized for service, but not for cleansing.
I trust that no reader who has followed me through the different
chapters of this book will imagine, for a moment, that I under-value,
in the slightest degree, the precious blood of Christ, nor do I forget
that it is that blood which, as we walk in the light, cleanseth us from
all sin. I think I have sufficiently stated elsewhere that the blood of
Jesus is the procuring cause of our sanctification, as well as of our
justification, and that we are forever dependent upon the atonement
for the one blessing as well as the other. The blood of the Son of God
is the ground of our sanctification, but it is the Holy Spirit who is
the effective agent in destroying the depravity of our hearts.
It is true that our Saviour received the Holy Ghost, and that God
anointed Him for the great work of redemption. And in His case, the
word used is anointed or descended, and not in any place baptized. He
needed not the work of entire sanctification, and, therefore, He is not
said to have been baptized with the Holy Ghost. As a man, He did need
the energizing for His work, and, therefore, He is said to have been
anointed. Beloved, let us not separate what God has joined together.
The entire sanctification of the heart and the Holy Ghost baptism are
coetaneous experiences, and must not be divorced.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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